title: Assessment of sensations experienced by subjects during MR imaging examination at 7T.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated sensations experienced by a large number of subjects during magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations using a 7-tesla scanner and slow table-feed speed.
  
  
  METHODS
  After examinations at 7T, 504 of 508 consecutive subjects completed questionnaires using an 11-point scale to rate 14 potential sensations and symptoms during table movement and stationary positioning of the table. We compared scores among the sensations and between table conditions and the mean values of the scores with those reported in previous studies and examined correlations between the scores and subject characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vertigo and feelings of curving or leaning in the right or left direction during table movement were experienced frequently and markedly compared to other sensations and sensations experienced when the table was stationary (P < 0.01) and were correlated with subject age and examination time (P < 0.05). However, moderate to severe (scores of 5 to 10) vertigo and a curving/leaning feeling during table movement were noted in only 10.5% (vertigo) and 10.9% (curving/leaning) of subjects, and the mean vertigo score, 1.26, appeared to be substantially lower than that reported in a previous study. Reports of a metallic taste, nausea, and light flashes were significantly rarer and weaker than other sensations (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vertigo and feelings of curving during table movement were the most frequent sensations reported during MR imaging examination at 7T. However, the occurrence and severity were low and mild, presumably because of the slow table-feed speed, which suggests that most patients and volunteers found discomfort at 7T acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Division of Ultrahigh Field MRI, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Iwate Medical University.
authors.forename: Ikuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Uwano
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Metoki
authors.forename: Fusako
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sendai
authors.forename: Ryoko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Kohsuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kudo
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Satomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Taisuke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014717:Vertigo / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult