[New clinical applications for low-field magnetic resonance imaging : Technical and physical aspects]

Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is experiencing a renaissance due to technical innovations. The new-generation devices offer new applications for imaging and a possible solution to increasing cost pressures in the healthcare system.

Effects of field strength on technique, physics, image acquisition, and diagnostic quality of examinations are presented.

Important basic physical parameters for image acquisition and quality are summarized. Initial clinical experience with a new 0.55 T low-field scanner is presented.

Field strengths that are lower than the currently used 1.5 T and 3 T field strengths are characterized by an expected lower signal-to-noise ratio in image acquisition. Whether this is a diagnostic limitation needs to be evaluated in studies, as there are several options to offset this perceived drawback, including increasing measurement time or artificial intelligence (AI) postprocessing techniques. In addition, it is necessary to meticulously investigate whether low-field systems allow diagnostically adequate image quality to be achieved in different body regions and different disease entities. Initial studies in our clinic are promising and show, for example, diagnostic quality without relevant loss of time for examinations of the lumbar spine. Advantages of low-field MRI include reduced susceptibility artifacts when imaging the lungs and in patients with metallic implants.

Low-field scanners offer a variety of new fields of application with field strength-related advantages. In most other clinical examination fields, at least diagnostic quality can be expected.