title: Current problems and future opportunities of abdominal magnetic resonance imaging at higher field strengths.
abstract: Introduction of high-field-strength whole-body MR scanners to clinical routine made abdominal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging widely available. Higher field strength provides improved signal yield, but other issues such as shorter wavelength and increased power deposition of radiofrequency in tissue must also be taken into account. This review describes current problems and future opportunities of abdominal MR imaging at 3.0 T under special consideration of relevant physical properties and technical challenges: impact of higher field strength on signal-to-noise ratio, Larmor frequency, and chemical shift effects are elucidated in detail. Furthermore, changes in longitudinal and transverse relaxation times as well as increased susceptibility effects at 3.0 T are reported. General safety issues and limitations in radiofrequency power deposition are discussed. Subsequently, implications of the previously mentioned changed MR properties at 3.0 T on clinical abdominal examinations applying different sequence types are described.
authors.affiliation: Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany. Fabian.Springer@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martirosian
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boss
authors.forename: Claus D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Claussen
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schick
mesh_terms: D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*