MRI of the Skin with Optimized RF Coils (SKIN-COILS)

The skin, providing many essential functions to the body, can be affected by a variety of diseases representing a leading global cause of non-fatal disease burden. To date, research efforts did not address the needs in dermatology and severe difficulties in differential diagnosis remain. Specifically, differentiating arteriolosclerotic ulcers of Martorell (ASUM) from other types of leg ulcers is challenging while of upmost importance to identify appropriate treatments. To address this health issue, non-invasive skin imaging methods are very much required to provide high resolution images of the skin layers and information on the deeper lying vasculature. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is perfectly suited to study the skin as it provides higher spatial resolution and more anatomical details than ultrasound, greater penetration depth than optical methods and a wider field of view than both, while achieving a unique soft tissue contrast and access to functional information. Despite this theoretically high potential of MRI for skin imaging, to date, no suitable MR solutions are available due to both the lack of sensitivity of the MR radiofrequency system and the lack of specific acquisition protocols leading to strong SNR-related limitations. In this context, the SKIN-COILS project targets the development of a dedicated hard- and software package featuring highly sensitive radiofrequency coils and tailored acquisition protocols for high-field clinical MR systems capable of providing high-resolution images of the skin and the underlying vasculature of great value for both, medical applications and investigations on healthy skin. Finally, the performance of the novel hard- and software package developed in this ambitious project will be evaluated in a pilot study conducted together with leading dermatologists on healthy volunteers and skin ulcer patients.