Introduction of ultra-high-field MR brain imaging in infants: vital parameters, temperature and comfort

I M van Ooijen; K V Annink; M J N L Benders; J Dudink; T Alderliesten; F Groenendaal; M L Tataranno; M H Lequin; J M Hoogduin; F Visser; A J E Raaijmakers; D W J Klomp; E C Wiegers; J P Wijnen; N E van der Aa

doi:10.1016/j.ynirp.2023.100175

Introduction of ultra-high-field MR brain imaging in infants: vital parameters, temperature and comfort

Neuroimage Rep. 2023 Jun;3(2):100175. doi: 10.1016/j.ynirp.2023.100175.

Authors

I M van Ooijen^{1

2}, K V Annink¹, M J N L Benders¹, J Dudink¹, T Alderliesten¹, F Groenendaal¹, M L Tataranno¹, M H Lequin³, J M Hoogduin², F Visser², A J E Raaijmakers^{2

4}, D W J Klomp², E C Wiegers², J P Wijnen², N E van der Aa¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht Brain Center, University Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
² Centre for Image Sciences, High Field MR Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
³ Departement of Radiology, Division of Imaging and Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Background: Brain MRI in infants at ultra-high-field scanners might improve diagnostic quality, but safety should be evaluated first. In our previous study, we reported simulated specific absorption rates and acoustic noise data at 7 Tesla.

Methods: In this study, we included twenty infants between term-equivalent age and three months of age. The infants were scanned on a 7 Tesla MRI directly after their clinically indicated 3 Tesla brain MRI scan. Vital parameters, temperature, and comfort were monitored throughout the process. Brain temperature was estimated during the MRI scans using proton MR spectroscopy.

Results: We found no significant differences in vital parameters, temperature, and comfort during and after 7 Tesla MRI scans, compared to 3 Tesla MRI scans.

Conclusions: These data confirm our hypothesis that scanning infants at 7 Tesla MRI appears to be safe and we identified no additional risks from scanning at 3 Tesla MRI.

Keywords: Infants; Neuroimaging; Safety; Ultra-high-field (7 Tesla) MRI.