New Prospects for Ultra-High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis

Benjamin V. Ineichen, Erin S. Beck, Marco Piccirelli, Daniel S. Reich

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is growing interest in imaging multiple sclerosis (MS) through the ultra-high-field (UHF) lens, which currently means a static magnetic field strength of 7 T or higher. Because of higher signal-to-noise ratio and enhanced susceptibility effects, UHF magnetic resonance imaging improves conspicuity ofMS pathological hallmarks, among themcortical demyelination and the central vein sign. This could, in turn, improve confidence in MS diagnosis and might also facilitate therapeutic monitoring of MS patients. Furthermore, UHF imaging offers unique insight into iron-related pathology, leptomeningeal inflammation, and spinal cord pathologies in neuroinflammation. Yet, limitations such as the longer scanning times to achieve improved resolution and incipient safety data on implanted medical devices need to be considered. In this review, we discuss applications of UHF imaging inMS, its advantages and limitations, and practical aspects of UHF in the clinical setting.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)773-784
Number of pages12
JournalInvestigative Radiology
Volume56
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 7 T,magnetic resonance imaging
  • Ultra-high-field
  • central vein sign cortical lesions
  • leptomeningeal enhancement
  • multiple sclerosis
  • neuroimaging
  • paramagnetic rim
  • review

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