OBJECTIVES: Our two objectives were to evaluate the feasibility of fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a fast spin echo sequence at 3.0T field strength with low radio frequency (rf) energy deposition (as measured by specific absorption rate: SAR) and to compare image quality, tissue contrast and conspicuity between 1.5T and 3.0T MRI. METHODS: T2 weighted images of the fetal brain at 1.5T were compared to similar data obtained in the same fetus using a modified sequence at 3.0T. Quantitative whole-body SAR and normalized image signal to noise ratio (SNR), a nominal scoring scheme based evaluation of diagnostic image quality, and tissue contrast and conspicuity for specific anatomical structures in the brain were compared between 1.5T and 3.0T. RESULTS: Twelve pregnant women underwent both 1.5T and 3.0T MRI examinations. The image SNR was significantly higher (P=0.03) and whole-body SAR was significantly lower (P<0.0001) for images obtained at 3.0T compared to 1.5T. All cases at both field strengths were scored as having diagnostic image quality. Images from 3.0T MRI (compared to 1.5T) were equal (57%; 21/37) or superior (35%; 13/37) for tissue contrast and equal (61%; 20/33) or superior (33%, 11/33) for conspicuity. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to obtain fetal brain images with higher resolution and better SNR at 3.0T with simultaneous reduction in SAR compared to 1.5T. Images of the fetal brain obtained at 3.0T demonstrated superior tissue contrast and conspicuity compared to 1.5T.
OBJECTIVES: Our two objectives were to evaluate the feasibility of fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a fast spin echo sequence at 3.0T field strength with low radio frequency (rf) energy deposition (as measured by specific absorption rate: SAR) and to compare image quality, tissue contrast and conspicuity between 1.5T and 3.0T MRI. METHODS: T2 weighted images of the fetal brain at 1.5T were compared to similar data obtained in the same fetus using a modified sequence at 3.0T. Quantitative whole-body SAR and normalized image signal to noise ratio (SNR), a nominal scoring scheme based evaluation of diagnostic image quality, and tissue contrast and conspicuity for specific anatomical structures in the brain were compared between 1.5T and 3.0T. RESULTS: Twelve pregnant women underwent both 1.5T and 3.0T MRI examinations. The image SNR was significantly higher (P=0.03) and whole-body SAR was significantly lower (P<0.0001) for images obtained at 3.0T compared to 1.5T. All cases at both field strengths were scored as having diagnostic image quality. Images from 3.0T MRI (compared to 1.5T) were equal (57%; 21/37) or superior (35%; 13/37) for tissue contrast and equal (61%; 20/33) or superior (33%, 11/33) for conspicuity. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to obtain fetal brain images with higher resolution and better SNR at 3.0T with simultaneous reduction in SAR compared to 1.5T. Images of the fetal brain obtained at 3.0T demonstrated superior tissue contrast and conspicuity compared to 1.5T.
Authors: R J Moore; B K Strachan; D J Tyler; K R Duncan; P N Baker; B S Worthington; I R Johnson; P A Gowland Journal: Placenta Date: 2000-09 Impact factor: 3.481
Authors: M K Stehling; P Mansfield; R J Ordidge; R Coxon; B Chapman; A Blamire; P Gibbs; I R Johnson; E M Symonds; B S Worthington Journal: Magn Reson Med Date: 1990-02 Impact factor: 4.668
Authors: Christian Weisstanner; Gerlinde M Gruber; Peter C Brugger; Christan Mitter; Mariana C Diogo; Gregor Kasprian; Daniela Prayer Journal: Br J Radiol Date: 2016-10-21 Impact factor: 3.039
Authors: Jaladhar Neelavalli; Uday Krishnamurthy; Pavan K Jella; Swati S Mody; Brijesh K Yadav; Kelly Hendershot; Edgar Hernandez-Andrade; Lami Yeo; Maria D Cabrera; Ewart M Haacke; Sonia S Hassan; Roberto Romero Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2016-05-17 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Filiz Yetisir; Esra Abaci Turk; Bastien Guerin; Borjan A Gagoski; P Ellen Grant; Elfar Adalsteinsson; Lawrence L Wald Journal: Magn Reson Med Date: 2021-07-09 Impact factor: 4.668