Towards clinical translation of 7 Tesla MRI in the human brain

Clinical translation of 7 tesla (T) MRI of the brain promises high image quality and potentially improved clinical diagnosis for patients compared to current standard lower field-strength MRI at 1.5 and 3T.

Here we describe how physics principles underlying ultra-high field (UHF) strength MRI affect 7T image quality, and how these can be exploited to translate 7T brain imaging into clinical practice. UHF MRI profits from higher inherent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a resultant increase in achievable spatial resolution or acceleration factors; increase in sensitivity to magnetic susceptibility differences and a higher amplitude of the Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signal; increase in longitudinal relaxation time; and increased frequency dispersion and spectral resolution in MR spectroscopy.

Examples are presented of different brain pathologies, which are better illustrated on 7T compared to lower field strength by applying sequences and imaging techniques that exploit these intrinsic strengths of 7T MRI. This includes imaging of various vascular pathologies, epilepsy and brain tumours.