Peripheral findings in MR using surface coil

Incidental peripheral lesions found during neuroradiological MR examinations with surface coils are reviewed. These include intracranial metastases during orbital examinations, cerebellar and thyroid lesions during cervical spine examinations, and dissecting and saccular abdominal aneurysms, as well as renal and intrapelvic abnormalities during lumbar spine examinations. Because of the reduced field-of-view and rapid signal drop-off in deeper portions of the body when examinations are performed with surface coils, peripheral and deep regions also need careful attention during routine evaluation.