3T MR for Clinical Use: Update

Abstract

Clinical experience with 3-tesla MRI for body applications has only a short history; to date, it has no proven practical advantage over 1.5-tesla or less powerful systems. However, the theoretical advantage of higher field strength—which includes a higher signal-to-noise ratio with identical scan parameters, higher special resolution available within clinically acceptable scan time, and better spectral resolution—can contribute to the clinical outcome. This paper seeks to demonstrate some of the clinical advantages of the 3-tesla system through preliminary experiences as well as the potential advantages of a 3-tesla system when combined with much of the hardware and software that is clinically accepted in the 1.5-tesla world.