Ann Tieleman1, Pieter Vandemaele, Ruth Seurinck, Karel Deblaere, Eric Achten. 1. Department of Radiology, Ghent Institute for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, GIfMI, Labaratory for Neuropsychology, Neurology Section, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. ann.tieleman@ugent.be
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the benefit of 3 T compared with 1.5 T during presurgical functional magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six participants performed a motor, a visual, and 2 language paradigms both at 1.5 and 3 T. The number of activated voxels, mean t-value, and assessment of language dominancy were compared between both field strengths. Group analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of field strength on the cortical language activation patterns. RESULTS: The number of activated voxels and mean t-values were significantly higher at 3 T for all paradigms. Using the same statistical threshold, language activation was significantly less lateralized, and more activation zones were depicted at 3 T compared with 1.5 T. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity associated with visual, motor and language functional magnetic resonance imaging increased significantly at 3 T. Additional cortical areas were depicted during language processing at 3 T. For assessment of language dominancy, usage of more stringent statistical thresholds at 3 T is suggested.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the benefit of 3 T compared with 1.5 T during presurgical functional magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six participants performed a motor, a visual, and 2 language paradigms both at 1.5 and 3 T. The number of activated voxels, mean t-value, and assessment of language dominancy were compared between both field strengths. Group analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of field strength on the cortical language activation patterns. RESULTS: The number of activated voxels and mean t-values were significantly higher at 3 T for all paradigms. Using the same statistical threshold, language activation was significantly less lateralized, and more activation zones were depicted at 3 T compared with 1.5 T. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity associated with visual, motor and language functional magnetic resonance imaging increased significantly at 3 T. Additional cortical areas were depicted during language processing at 3 T. For assessment of language dominancy, usage of more stringent statistical thresholds at 3 T is suggested.
Authors: Ioannis Z Kapsalakis; Eftychia Z Kapsalaki; Efstathios D Gotsis; Dimitrios Verganelakis; Panagiotis Toulas; Georgios Hadjigeorgiou; Indug Chung; Ioannis Fezoulidis; Alexandros Papadimitriou; Joe Sam Robinson; Gregory P Lee; Kostas N Fountas Journal: Radiol Res Pract Date: 2012-07-12