Reducing Magnetic Susceptibility Differences Using Liquid Fluorocarbon Pads (Sat Pad™): Results with Spectral Presaturation of Fat

Although the magnetic field may be homogeneous, the positioning of a human subject in the bore of the magnet to perform imaging studies induces inhomogeneous fields. Least effect is generated when the object is cylindrical. In regions of marked contour abnormalities such as the leg to foot junction and trunk to neck or neck to head, the inhomogeneity can be so dramatic that errors in fat saturation occur that can lead to misdiagnoses. This manuscript is intended to explain the principle of magnetic susceptibility, fat saturation, and how Sat Pads help improve magnetic field homogeneity. The improved homogeneity results in higher quality MR images, improved homogeneous fat/water saturation to allow for true anatomic representation.