Subjectively Reported Effects Experienced in an Actively Shielded 7T MRI: A Large-Scale Study.

Area of Science:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Medical Imaging Technology

Background:

• Ultrahigh-field (UHF) MRI, specifically 7T systems, is advancing for clinical applications.
• Patient compliance in 7T MRI is generally high, but large-scale data on subject experiences, including peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and caregiving, are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the quantity, intensity, and subjective experiences of short-term effects during 7T MRI examinations.
• To assess patient comfort and compliance levels in 7T MRI settings.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 954 consecutive 7T MRI examinations in 801 subjects over three years.
• Data on subject experiences, comfort, and compliance were collected via questionnaires after each 7T examination.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlation, Mann-Whitney U-test, and t-test.

Main Results:

• A majority of subjects (63%) found the 7T MRI experience comfortable, with 93% willing to undergo future scans as patients.
• Common short-term effects included dizziness (81%), inconsistent movement (68%), and PNS (63%), with most reporting PNS as not uncomfortable.
• Scanner room temperature and noise levels were generally acceptable, though 43% reported pre-examination anxiety, with variations between patients and healthy volunteers.

Conclusions:

• Subjective effects, including physiological and psychological responses, are reported in 7T MRI but rarely lead to aversion to future UHF examinations.
• While there is room for improvement in areas like information provision and communication, the overall patient experience in 7T MRI is positive.
• The study highlights the feasibility of 7T MRI in a clinical and research setting with high patient acceptance.