Peter Boesiger

Title

Challenges and Opportunities of High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a powerful medical imaging technology which has become one of the premier modalities for visualizing anatomy in radiological practice. New MRI procedures allow for the assessment of various organ functions. The information gained from functional MRI not only allows for more reliable diagnosis and therapy planning, but also contributes towards a deeper under - standing of basic physiology and its changes under aging and disease.  For many years, the main magnetic field strength of 1.5T has been the ‘gold standard’. Meanwhile 3.0T field strength became widely available, and for research also 7.0T and more becomes feasible. The interest in higher field strength is flourishing due to considerable benefits of increased signal-to-noise ratio, of enhanced contrast and sensitivity to functional effects, and of increased chemical shift resolution.