Fine Detail Biliary Imaging in a 9-Year-Old

How Pediatric MRI Can Deliver Without Repositioning

Imaging the bile ducts in pediatric patients has long presented challenges due to their small size, movement during the scan, and the difficulty of positioning coils properly on younger bodies. In this featured case, a 9-year-old patient underwent a bile duct MRI on a 3.0T GE SIGNA Architect system using a specialized 24-channel pediatric body array. The result? Excellent anatomical resolution—without requiring sedation or repositioning during the study.

Why This Case Matters

For pediatric radiologists, the ability to obtain clear hepatobiliary imaging in children without extending scan times or compromising comfort is invaluable. Young patients often can’t hold still for long periods, and this case demonstrates how optimized coil selection and scan protocol design can meet those challenges directly.

Imaging Parameters

• Field Strength: 3.0 Tesla

• Scanner: GE SIGNA Architect

• Software: SIGNA_LX1.MR30.1_R01_2322.c

• Receive Coil: 24-channel pediatric anterior/posterior array

• Anatomy: Bile Duct

• Patient Age: 9 Years

• Acquisition Specs:

• Voxel Size: 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm × 3.0 mm

• Matrix: 512 × 512 × 65

• Slice Spacing: 3.0 mm

• Acquisition Type: 2D

• Flip Angle: 130°

• Echo Time (TE): 249.2 ms

• Repetition Time (TR): 3200.0 ms

• Echo Train Length: 1

• Percent Sampling: 96.4%

This protocol was optimized for high in-plane resolution and contrast-to-noise ratio—both critical for visualizing the fine biliary structures in pediatric MRCP or hepatobiliary evaluations.

Clinical Insight

High-resolution bile duct imaging requires more than just fine voxel size. In pediatric applications, it demands:

• Coil conformity to small anatomy without excessive pressure or gaps.

• Minimized motion sensitivity through faster sequences and tight-fitting coil placement.

• Patient comfort, which directly impacts compliance and motion artifact.

In this case, the 24-channel pediatric coil offered an adaptive fit to the child’s torso, which enabled tight skin-to-coil proximity without discomfort. The imaging team achieved a high diagnostic yield in a single pass—eliminating the need for repositioning or rescanning.

💡 Radiologist Tip

For pediatric MRCP or bile duct imaging, prioritize sub-millimeter in-plane resolution and limit slice thickness to ≤3 mm. Use respiratory-triggered or fast T2-weighted 2D acquisitions when breath-holding isn't feasible. A conforming anterior coil and a dedicated pediatric protocol reduce the need for sedation and shorten table time.

The Takeaway

This case reinforces that pediatric body MRI doesn’t need to be a compromise between quality and practicality. With the right tools and planning, radiologists can achieve highly detailed imaging in even the most motion-prone patients—while keeping the exam fast, comfortable, and reproducible.

Whether you're upgrading protocols or exploring new coil solutions for pediatric abdominal imaging, this case illustrates what's possible when technology meets patient-centered design.

Want to review our pediatric body protocols or trial a coil in your facility?

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