3.0-T morphological and angiographic brain imaging: a 5-years experience

Abstract

Ever since the introduction of magnetic resonance (MR), imaging with 1.5 Tesla (T) has been considered the gold standard for the study of all areas of the body. Until not long ago, higher-field MR equipment was exclusively employed for research, not for clinical use. More recently, the introduction of 3.0-T MR machines for new and more sophisticated clinical applications has resulted in important benefits, especially in neuroradiology. Indeed, their high gradient power and field intensity (3.0 T) allow adjunctive and more advanced diagnostic methodologies to be performed with excellent resolution in a fraction of the acquisition time required with earlier machines. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the distinctive semeiological characteristics of 3.0-T morphological and angiographic brain imaging compared with lower-field systems and highlight the respective advantages and drawbacks based on the experience gained in the first 5 years from the installation of a 3.0-T magnet.

3 T magnetic resonance imaging of the musculoskeletal system

“…turbo spin echo (TSE) and turbo field echo (TFE)], even though the increase in TR in all sequences -as will be explained below -partially compensates the Introduzione L'evoluzione delle apparecchiature utilizzate nell'imaging clinico ha conosciuto negli ultimi anni un'importante accelerazione. Per quanto riguarda la risonanza magnetica, l'attenzione si è concentrata sulla realizzazione di tomografi ad elevato campo magnetico statico; apparecchi da 3 T sono presenti in diversi centri e sono ormai numerosi gli studi volti a comprendere i benefici e le problematiche da questi derivanti sui diversi apparati, con particolare attenzione rivolta al sistema nervoso centrale [1][2][3]. L'aumento del rapporto segnale-rumore, garantito dagli apparecchi di risonanza magnetica (RM) da 3 T, trova vaste applicazioni in ambito muscolo-scheletrico con interessanti potenzialità per quanto concerne la valutazione di tendini, cartilagine, osso e legamenti.…”

“…The increase in SNR and spatial resolution of the 3 T system makes up for most shortcomings of 1.5 T imaging. Recent studies [5,26] demonstrated an increase in CNR at 3 T between articular fluid and cartilage, which could further facilitate evaluation of the latter [2]. Recently, many researchers have focussed on changes in T2 relaxation time of articular cartilage as an early indicator of osteoarthrosis (Fig.…”

“…2). L'aumento del SNR e della risoluzione spaziale del sistema 3 T colmano gran parte delle lacune dell'imaging a 1,5 T. Studi recenti [5,26] hanno inoltre dimostrato a 3 T un aumento del CNR tra liquido articolare e cartilagine, che potrebbe ulteriormente agevolare la valutazione di quest'ultima [2]. In tempi recenti, molti ricercatori hanno focalizzato l'attenzione sulle alterazioni del tempo di rilassamento T2 della cartilagine articolare quale indicatore precoce di osteoartrosi [27] (Fig.…”

“…With regard to magnetic resonance (MR), attention has centred on the development of high-static-field scanners. Systems operating at 3 T are present in a number of centres, and many studies have been done to determine their benefits and drawbacks, with particular attention being paid to the central nervous system [1][2][3]. The increase in signal-tonoise ratio (SNR) offered by MR devices a 3 T can be broadly applied in the musculoskeletal setting, with promise being shown in evaluating tendons, cartilage, bone and ligaments.…”

Assessment of arteriovenous malformations with 3-Tesla time-resolved, contrast-enhanced, three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography

“…7,12 Time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics is a new technique for time-resolved 3D MR digital subtraction angiography 13 that can achieve temporal and spatial resolution high enough to evaluate AVMs, 4,8,9,16,31 especially Assessment of arteriovenous malformations with 3-Tesla time-resolved, contrast-enhanced, three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography combined with a 3-T MR imaging unit. 2,3,22 In this study, we investigate the accuracy of 3-T TRICKS in the assessment of AVMs compared with conventional catheter angiography.…”