Comparison between functional magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 and 3 Tesla: effect of increased field strength on 4 paradigms used during presurgical work-up.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate the benefit of 3 T compared with 1.5 T during presurgical functional magnetic resonance imaging.


METHODS
Six participants performed a motor, a visual, and 2 language paradigms both at 1.5 and 3 T. The number of activated voxels, mean t-value, and assessment of language dominancy were compared between both field strengths. Group analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of field strength on the cortical language activation patterns.


RESULTS
The number of activated voxels and mean t-values were significantly higher at 3 T for all paradigms. Using the same statistical threshold, language activation was significantly less lateralized, and more activation zones were depicted at 3 T compared with 1.5 T.


CONCLUSIONS
Sensitivity associated with visual, motor and language functional magnetic resonance imaging increased significantly at 3 T. Additional cortical areas were depicted during language processing at 3 T. For assessment of language dominancy, usage of more stringent statistical thresholds at 3 T is suggested.
Tieleman
Ann
A
Department of Radiology, Ghent Institute for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, GIfMI, Labaratory for Neuropsychology, Neurology Section, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. ann.tieleman@ugent.be
Vandemaele
Pieter
P
Seurinck
Ruth
R
Deblaere
Karel
K
Achten
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity