Overview

Ultrahigh field MR (UHF-MR) is moving forward at an amazing speed. With more than 55,000 exams already performed at 7.0 T, the reasons for moving UHF-MR into clinical applications are more compelling than ever. This workshop will provide an overview of the state of the art and the clinical relevance of UHF-MR. Presentations will be devoted to novel methodology, safety topics, clinical experience, and future directions of UHF-MR, with the prospect of solving technical problems, identifying key applications and conceiving new clinical applications. As they are advanced, the workshop will help to push the boundaries of MR physics, MR safety, MR engineering, imaging science, biomedical research and diagnostic imaging.

Additionally, as physicists, engineers, and pioneers from related disciplines have already taken another step into the future with something called Extreme Field MR (EF-MR, B0>11.7 T) to fill a crucial "resolution gap" in our understanding of human biology, physiology and chemistry, this workshop will also feature magnet design and RF antennae concepts customized for EF-MR. This workshop will convey the seeds of this mission and inspire the ISMRM and imaging sciences communities to become pioneers of ultrahigh and extreme field MR and its clinical application.

Target Audience

This workshop is targeted toward basic researchers, engineers, translational researchers and clinical scientists using or considering UHF-MR; young scientists, new entrants into the field and under-represented groups; clinicians (e.g., radiologists, cardiologists, neurologists, surgeons, nephrologists); neuroscientists with an interest in UHF-MR; undergraduate and graduate students using or considering use of UHF-MR; as well as toward application experts, radiographers, and technicians.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify the clinical applications that benefit from ultrahigh magnetic field strengths;
• Discuss the needs of and insights from UHF-MR in a clinical environment;
• Recognize the clinical potential of UHF in neuroscience;
• Explain the advances of body, cardiac, and musculoskeletal UHF-MR;
• Describe the engineering and MR safety needs at ultrahigh fields;
• Explain how to deal with UHF-MR safety when coming from lower fields;
• Discuss harmonization of UHF-MR research/application and the requirements and opportunities for multi-center studies;
• Recognize the opportunities for discovery and challenges of extreme field MR;
• Support explorations into x-nuclei UHF-MR and its clinical application;
• Develop novel methodology and clinical applications of UHF-MR spectroscopy; and
• Discover novel applications of UHF-MR and its transfer to lower fields.