Advanced MR methods at ultra-high field (7 Tesla) for clinical musculoskeletal applications.
OBJECTIVE
This article provides an overview of the initial clinical results of musculoskeletal studies performed at 7 Tesla, with special focus on sodium imaging, new techniques such as chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and T2* imaging, and multinuclear MR spectroscopy.


METHODS
Sodium imaging was clinically used at 7 T in the evaluation of patients after cartilage repair procedures because it enables the GAG content to be monitored over time. Sodium imaging and T2* mapping allow insights into the ultra-structural composition of the Achilles tendon and help detect early disease. Chemical exchange saturation transfer was, for the first time, successfully applied in the clinical set-up at 7 T in patients after cartilage repair surgery. The potential of phosphorus MR spectroscopy in muscle was demonstrated in a comparison study between 3 and 7 T, with higher spectral resolution and significantly shorter data acquisition times at 7 T.


RESULTS
These initial clinical studies demonstrate the potential of ultra-high field MR at 7 T, with the advantage of significantly improved sensitivity for other nuclei, such as (23)Na (sodium) and (31)P (phosphorus).


CONCLUSIONS
The application of non-proton imaging and spectroscopy provides new insights into normal and abnormal physiology of musculoskeletal tissues, particularly cartilage, tendons, and muscles.


CONCLUSIONS
• 7 T magnetic resonance provides significantly improved sensitivity for                   (                     23                   )                   Na and                    (                     31                   )                   P.                                  • Initial clinical studies have now demonstrated ultra-high field MR operating at 7 T.                                  • 7 T provides new insights into normal and abnormal physiology of musculoskeletal tissues.
MR Centre-High Field MR, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna/Vienna General Hospital, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria. siegfried.trattnig@meduniwien.ac.at
Siegfried
S
Trattnig
Stefan
S
Zbýň
Benjamin
B
Schmitt
Klaus
K
Friedrich
Vladimir
V
Juras
Pavol
P
Szomolanyi
Wolfgang
W
Bogner
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D002356:Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes / Q000494:pharmacology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D012975:Sodium Isotopes / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes; D012975:Sodium Isotopes; D012964:Sodium