Low-field magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric radiology. Potentials, limitations and perspectives

MRI has been used in pediatric imaging for several yea rs. It provides exce llent anatomic detail and tissue characterization combined with the advanta ge that it is not associated with the application of ionizing radiation to the radiation sensitive infant organism. Low field MRI provides some additi onal advantages like a lower rate of sedations, easier monitoring of sedate d patients and the option of interventional examination and therapy. The di sadvantages, however, are the slightly prolonged examination times and the lower signal-to-noise ratio compared to high-field MR scanners. In the futu re, new techniques using modern gradient echo sequences will provide fast i maging methods with a very high signal-to-noise ratio which could partially replace conventional x-ray imaging. In the presented article we report our experiences in low-field MR imaging of pediatric patients. The possibiliti es as well as the limitations of this imaging modality are pointed out.