title: Diagnostic relevance of high field MRI in clinical neuroradiology: the advantages and challenges of driving a sports car.
abstract: High field MRI operating at 3 T is increasingly being used in the field of neuroradiology on the grounds that higher magnetic field strength should theoretically lead to a higher diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of several disease entities. This Editorial discusses the exhaustive review by Wardlaw and colleagues of research comparing 3 T MRI with 1.5 T MRI in the field of neuroradiology. Interestingly, the authors found no convincing evidence of improved image quality, diagnostic accuracy, or reduced total examination times using 3 T MRI instead of 1.5 T MRI. These findings are highly relevant since a new generation of high field MRI systems operating at 7 T has recently been introduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Higher magnetic field strengths do not necessarily lead to a better diagnostic accuracy.                 • Disadvantages of high field MR systems have to be considered in clinical practice.                 • Higher field strengths are needed for functional imaging, spectroscopy, etc.                 • Disappointingly there are few direct comparisons of 1.5 and 3 T MRI.                 • Whether the next high field MR generation (7 T) will improve diagnostic accuracy has to be investigated.
authors: Department of Radiology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.wattjes@vumc.nl
authors: Mike P
authors: MP
authors: Wattjes
authors: Frederik
authors: F
authors: Barkhof
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011871:Radiology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity