The authors identify eight areas of potential safety concern during clinical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. These include (a) biologic effects of the static magnetic field; (b) ferromagnetic attractive "projectile" effects of the static magnetic field; (c) potential effects of the relatively slowly time-varying magnetic field gradients; (d) effects of the rapidly varying radio-frequency (RF) magnetic fields, including RF power deposition concerns; (e) auditory considerations from noise caused by the rapidly pulsed magnetic field gradients; (f) safety considerations concerning superconductive systems, including quenches, use of cryogens, and cryogen storage and handling; (g) psychological effects, such as claustrophobia and anxiety induced because of the examination; and (h) possible effects of the intravenous use of the MR contrast agent gadopentetate dimeglumine. The concerns in each of these categories are elaborated upon, and the available data are presented to clarify their status.

Recent in vivo MRI studies at 7.0 T have demonstrated extensive heterogeneity of T2* relaxation in white matter of the human brain. In order to study the origin of this heterogeneity, we performed T2* measurements at 1.5, 3.0, and 7.0 T in normal volunteers. Formalin-fixed brain tissue specimens were also studied using T2*-weighted MRI, histological staining, chemical analysis, and electron microscopy. We found that T2* relaxation rate (R2*=1/ T2*) in white matter in living human brain is linearly dependent on the main magnetic field strength and the T2* heterogeneity in white matter observed at 7.0 T can also be detected, albeit weaker, at 1.5 and 3.0 T. The T2* heterogeneity exists also in white matter of the formalin fixed brain tissue specimens, with prominent differences between the major fiber bundles such as the cingulum and the superior corona radiada. The white matter specimen with substantial difference in T2*have no significant difference in the total iron content as determined by chemical analysis. On the other hand, evidence from histological staining and electron microscopy demonstrate these tissue specimen have apparent difference in myelin content and microstructure.

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