MRI evaluation and safety in the developing brain.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of the developing brain has dramatically increased over the last decade. Faster acquisitions and the development of advanced MRI sequences, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), perfusion imaging, functional MR imaging (fMRI), and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), as well as the use of higher magnetic field strengths has made MRI an invaluable tool for detailed evaluation of the developing brain. This article will provide an overview of the use and challenges associated with 1.5-T and 3-T static magnetic fields for evaluation of the developing brain. This review will also summarize the advantages, clinical challenges, and safety concerns specifically related to MRI in the fetus and newborn, including the implications of increased magnetic field strength, logistics related to transporting and monitoring of neonates during scanning, and sedation considerations, and a discussion of current technologies such as MRI conditional neonatal incubators and dedicated small-foot print neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) scanners.
Pediatric Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology Children׳s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
Shannon
S
Tocchio
Department of Radiology Cincinnati Children׳s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
Beth
B
Kline-Fath
Magnetic Resonance Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA.
Emanuel
E
Kanal
Pediatric Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology Children׳s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vincent J
VJ
Schmithorst
Pediatric Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology Children׳s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: panigrahya@upmc.edu.
Ashok
A
Panigrahy
D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007186:Incubators, Infant; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio
MR compatible incubator; MR spectroscopy; NICU magnet; arterial spin label perfusion; fetal MR; neonatal MRI