Multiple Sclerosis Imaging at 7T: Does 7T MRI Teach Us Something New in MS Imaging?

Compared with lower field strengths, 7T MRI offers unique benefits because of increased SNR and contrast, improved spectral resolution, and increased susceptibility-related dephasing. These benefits of 7T imaging could be of particular relevance for MS imaging. MS plaques have unique imaging features but can be challenging to differentiate from other white matter lesions. Examples of MS lesions at 7T are shown to highlight characteristics of MS imaging in a clinical context and the advantages of ultra-high field imaging, including as a problem-solving tool. Furthermore, examples will show how 7T imaging inform us about pathogenesis and pathophysiology underlying demyelinating plaques and MS and will highlight the potential of 7T MRI as imaging biomarker in MS.

Learning Objective: To recognize imaging characteristics and characteristic diagnostic findings of MS within a clinical context, by understanding and using the physics principles and advantages of ultra-high-field 7T imaging.