title: Subject tolerance of 7 T MRI examinations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the subjective experiences and the sources of discomfort for subjects undergoing 7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations on a whole-body 7 T system in a hospital setting
  
  
  METHODS
  A postscan survey was filled out by 101 healthy subjects who participated in a 7 T examination. All participants answered questions regarding different potential sensations of discomfort including dizziness, claustrophobia, and scanner noise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dizziness was reported most frequently, with 34% of subjects experiencing dizziness while moving into the scanner and 30% while moving out of the magnet. Scanner noise was also frequently mentioned as uncomfortable (33% of the subjects). In 11% of the cases a metallic taste was reported. The overall experience was rated by 3% as unpleasant, 51% as neutral, and 46% as pleasant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reported side effects are larger than previously reported for lower field strengths. However, overall, 7 T examinations are well tolerated, with only 3% of subjects rating it as unpleasant. These results agree well with previous in-depth studies, and provide further evidence that 7 T MRI would be accepted by patients in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maarten J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Versluis
authors.forename: Wouter M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Teeuwisse
authors.forename: Hermien E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Kan
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Buchem
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Matthias J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van Osch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D004244:Dizziness / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult