Introduction to high field strength magnetic resonance imaging

Article information

J Korean Med Assoc. 2010;53(12):1055-1058

Publication date (electronic) : 2010 December 07

doi : https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2010.53.12.1055

Jae Hyoung Kim, MD

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding author: Jae Hyoung Kim, jaehkim@snu.ac.kr

Received 2010 October 28; Accepted 2010 November 12.

Abstract

Recently 3 tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been increasingly used in the clinical field. 3T MRI has many advantages, such as a better signal-to-noise ratio, increased chemical shift, and increased susceptibility, whereas it has several disadvantages such as increased relaxation time, radiofrequency field inhomogeneity, and increased specific absorption rate. The awareness of these advantages and disadvantages of 3T MRI will lead to better outcomes in clinical and research applications.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; High field strength; 3 tesla; Advantage; Disadvantage

References

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Article information Continued

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Figure 1

Better signal-to-noise ratio at 3 tesla (T). Fluid attenuated inversion recovery image obtained at 1.5T (A) looks more coarse than the image at 3T (B) in the same patient, reflecting the better signal-to-noise ratio at 3T.

Figure 2

Better spatial resolution at 3 tesla (T). On magnified angiographic images of the right middle cerebral artery at 1.5T (A) and 3T (B) in the same patient, more detailed anatomical resolution is achieved at 3T.

Figure 3

Increased susceptibility at 3 tesla (T). Compared with gradient-echo image obtained at 1.5T (A), the image at 3T (B) of the same patient shows more clearly defined dark dots (microbleeds) in the thalamus, and more conspicuous dark signal intensity (iron deposit) of the basal ganglia, suggesting the increased susceptibility at 3T.

Figure 4

Increased B1 inhomogeneity. Fat-suppressed T2-weighted image of the liver shows a large-sized signal loss (arrows) in the left lobe area due to an artifact caused by the inhomogeneous radiofrequency field.