LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Editor:

Dr. Gross' comments are beneficial and informative. It might be interesting to add that the ability to make some of the suggested technical changes depends on the type of magnetic resonance (MR) scanner used. For example, there are substantial differences between low-field and high-field scanners. We currently cannot change the receiver bandwidth on our system. Also, one of the compromises with some low-field scanners is that some have pre-defined protocols that make use of the scanner possible by individuals without specialty training in MR technology. As such, these scanners sometimes have limited ability to modify a protocol that otherwise has been optimized for a particular type of examination. Additionally, the compromises with signal-to-noise and the acquisition time can be important. When any of these situations pertain and it is not possible or practical to reduce the artifact sufficiently, then selecting another imaging modality might be preferable for some post-operative patients. When these factors can be changed, Dr. Gross' comments should be very helpful.