Perspectives on body MR imaging at ultrahigh field.
As investigators consider approaching the challenge of MR imaging at field strengths above 3T, do they follow the same paradigm, and continue to work around the same problems they have encountered thus far at 3T, or do they explore other ways of answering the clinical questions more effectively and more comprehensively? The most immediate problems of imaging at ultrahigh field strength are not unfamiliar, as many of them are still pressing issues at 3T: radiofrequency coils, B1 homogeneity, specific absorption rate, safety, B0 field homogeneity, alterations in tissue contrast, and chemical shift. In this article, these issues are briefly reviewed in terms of how they may affect image quality at field strengths beyond 3T. The authors propose various approaches to overcoming the challenges, and discuss potential applications of ultrahigh field MR imaging as it applies to specific abdominal, pelvic, peripheral vascular, and breast imaging protocols.
Hecht
Elizabeth M
EM
Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 560 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA. hechte01@med.nyu.edu
Lee
Ray F
RF
Taouli
Bachir
B
Sodickson
Daniel K
DK
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000145:classification; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007554:Isotopes; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008280:Magnetics; D012449:Safety
D003287:Contrast Media; D007554:Isotopes