Perspectives of Ultra-High-Field MRI in Neuroradiology

Purpose Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most important methods for the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of various diseases. Today, magnets up to 3 T are standard. This review will give an overview of the clinical perspectives of ultra-high field MRI, meaning mainly 7 T. Methods Literature review with focus on clinical applications of 7 T imaging in neuroscience combined with examples of own studies and perspectives. Results This high-resolution technique offers the potential to improve certain tissue contrasts and signal in functional (fMRI) and metabolic (MRS) imaging. This overview demonstrates already existing potentials and advantages of the ultra-high magnetic field for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Conclusions Although there are still some technical challenges for brain and spine imaging at 7 T, the method has clear benefit in selected structural, functional, and metabolic imaging.