Abstract
ObjectivesSeveral intracranial vessel wall sequences have been described in recent literature, with either 3-T or 7-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the current study, we compared 3-T and 7-T MRI in visualising both the intracranial arterial vessel wall and vessel wall lesions.MethodsTwenty-one elderly asymptomatic volunteers were scanned by 3-T and 7-T MRI with an intracranial vessel wall sequence, both before and after contrast administration. Two raters scored image quality, and presence and characteristics of vessel wall lesions.ResultsVessel wall visibility was equal or significantly better at 7 T for the studied arterial segments, even though there were more artefacts hampering assessment. The better visualisation of the vessel wall at 7 T was most prominent in the proximal anterior cerebral circulation and the posterior cerebral artery. In the studied elderly asymptomatic population, 48 vessel-wall lesions were identified at 3 T, of which 7 showed enhancement. At 7 T, 79 lesions were identified, of which 29 showed enhancement. Seventy-one percent of all 3-T lesions and 59 % of all 7-T lesions were also seen at the other field strength.ConclusionsDespite the large variability in detected lesions at both field strengths, we believe 7-T MRI has the highest potential to identify the total burden of intracranial vessel wall lesions.Key Points• Intracranial vessel wall visibility was equal or significantly better at 7-T MRI• Most vessel wall lesions in the cerebral arteries were found at 7-T MRI• Many intracranial vessel wall lesions showed enhancement after contrast administration• Large variability in detected intracranial vessel wall lesions at both field strengths• Seven-tesla MRI has the highest potential to identify total burden of intracranial atherosclerosis
Highlights
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users
Despite the large variability in detected lesions at both field strengths, we believe 7-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the highest potential to identify the total burden of intracranial vessel wall lesions
Seven-tesla MRI offers the advantage of an increased SNR, allowing for complete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suppression and whole-brain imaging within clinically feasible scan times [12]; its use, is currently hampered by restricted availability and increased transmit field (B1+) inhomogeneity, causing artefacts that can limit vessel wall assessment [13]
Summary
Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The NetherlandsIntracranial atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and has been associated with a higher risk of recurrent stroke [1, 2]. Seven-tesla MRI offers the advantage of an increased SNR, allowing for complete CSF suppression and whole-brain imaging within clinically feasible scan times [12]; its use, is currently hampered by restricted availability and increased transmit field (B1+) inhomogeneity, causing artefacts that can limit vessel wall assessment [13]. The implications of these differences are unclear, because a direct comparison between intracranial vessel wall MRI at these field strengths has not yet been performed. The purpose of this study was to compare visualisation of the intracranial vessel wall and possible vessel wall lesions between 3-T and 7-T MRI
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