[New possibilities and aspects of low-field magnetic resonance tomography]

Worldwide, MRI is going up to higher field-strength. For imaging, magnets with field-strength between 0.2 and about 2.5 Tesla are installed. Below 0.2 Tesla, Low-Field-systems have been used in research-projects to optimize image quality. New developments of 0.064 Tesla Permanent-Magnet-MRI are hopeful for clinical work. Future possibilities of Low-Field-MRI are shown. The advantages of this system are good image quality by low initial start-up and operating costs as well as ease of sitting and lack of need for cryogens. The open design has excellent patient acceptance and allows to examine patients with claustrophobia feelings. It allows easier monitoring during the examination-especially children and patients with cancer or polytraumatic diseases. The introduction of more affordable MRI-systems of low-field-strength may decrease the cost of MRI to the point where it is competitive with computer tomography.