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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2009; 13(1): 074-084
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1202942
© Thieme Medical Publishers

In Vivo 7.0-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Wrist and Hand: Technical Aspects and Applications

Klaus M. Friedrich1 , Gregory Chang2 , Renata L. R. Vieira2 , Ligong Wang2 , Graham C. Wiggins2 , Mark E. Schweitzer3 , Ravinder R. Regatte2
  • 1Medical University of Vienna, Department of Radiology, Center of Excellence “High-Field MR,” Vienna, Austria
  • 2NYU Langone Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Center for Biomedical Imaging, New York, New York
  • 3Diagnostic Imaging, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
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Publication History

Publication Date:
23 February 2009 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7.0 T has the potential for higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), improved spectral resolution, and faster imaging compared with 1.5-T and 3.0-T MR systems. This is especially interesting for challenging imaging regions like the wrist and the hand because of the small size of the visualized anatomical structures; the increase in SNR could then be directly converted into higher spatial resolution of the images. Practically, imaging at 7.0 T poses a variety of technical challenges such as static (B0) and radiofrequency (B1) homogeneities, shimming, chemical shift artifacts, susceptibility artifacts, alterations in tissue contrast, specific absorption rate limitations, coil construction, and pulse sequence tuning. Despite these limitations, this first experience in anatomical imaging of the wrist and the hand at 7.0 T is very promising. Functional imaging techniques will gain importance at ultra-high-field MRI and need to be assessed in detail in the future.

KEYWORDS

Wrist - hand - MRI - 7 Tesla - ultra-high-field MRI

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Ravinder R RegattePh.D. 

NYU Langone Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Center for Biomedical Imaging

660 First Ave., New York, NY 10016

Email: ravinder.regatte@nyumc.org

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