The medium phantom was developed specifically for use in modern phased array head coils and allows sites to acquire phantom images for accreditation and for quality control (QC) with the same coil that is used to acquire most clinical brain images.
With the approval of the medium phantom, sites must submit phantom images acquired using a head coil routinely used for clinical brain imaging on the scanner, and they must use the largest phantom that fits inside that head coil. Facilities with scanners that do not have a head coil and/or do not routinely perform brain imaging should use the small phantom in the knee coil to obtain phantom images for accreditation review. While it is strongly recommended that technologist QC is done using a routine head coil and the appropriate phantom size, facilities should work with their medical physicist(s) or MR scientist(s) to determine which phantom will be used for routine QC.
Eighteen-Month Grace Period
In order to accommodate facility budget cycles, ACR® will allow an 18-month grace period from the release of ACRedit Plus for facilities to purchase the medium phantom and implement the appropriate changes to their QC programs, enabling them to acquire phantom images using a head coil that is routinely used for clinical brain imaging on the scanner.For more information, see Medium Phantom — Grace Period Guidance.
Medium Phantom Option
The MR Large and Medium Phantom Test Guidance document includes the new MR Medium Phantom Option and required QC program changes. Local coverage determination limits have been raised for 1.5T to >3T units using either the medium or large phantom as detailed in the Large and Medium Phantom Test Guidance document. This update becomes effective upon release of the new ACRedit Plus portal.The medium phantom order form is available on the MR accreditation webpage. Please direct inquiries on medium phantom availability to the phantom manufacturer, JM Specialty Parts Inc., via email at customerservice@jmspecialtyparts.com or phone at (858) 794-7200.