Code: ThOA	Time Slot/Poster Number: 08:30-08:55	Session: 7 Tesla & Beyond
1H Spectroscopic Imaging of the Human Brain at 7T
Hoby Hetherington; Jullie Pan
Dept. Neurosurgery Yale University, New Haven, CT
Abstract
In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of the human brain at 7T confers the potential advantages of increased SNR and spectral resolution. Although 7T systems have been available since the late 1990s, there have been few reports of their use in MRSI studies. This limitation is largely due to the inherent disadvantages of high field which include: 1) decreased B0 inhomogeneity; 2) decreased B1 homogeneity and maximal B1 strength achievable and 3) increased power deposition and chemical shift displacement errors. These limitations can be overcome by the use of a combination of specialized hardware and novel pulses sequences to enable routine short echo spectroscopic imaging of the human brain and its application to patients with epilepsy and brain tumors.

Code: ThOA	Time Slot/Poster Number: 08:55-09:10	Session: 7 Tesla & Beyond
An efficient double-resonance coil for low gamma MRI of large rodent brains at 21.1 Tesla
Chunqi Qian1, 3; Ihssan S. Masad1, 2; Samuel C. Grant1, 2; Peter L. Gor'kov1
1National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL; 2The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL; 3National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Abstract
High field vertical magnets are readily accessible for non-proton imaging. Often, these applications require a 2-channel RF coil simultaneously tuned to low and high frequencies so that anatomical proton images can be co-registered with the lower resolution non-proton image. These designs mandate an optimization of sensitivity for the low-γ channel, RF homogeneity over a range of sample loads and channel isolation, while minimizing trap losses. This study presents a double resonance sliding-ring birdcage with superior isolation and homogeneous excitation for 23Na and 1H acquisitions of neuroanatomy in large rodents at 21.1 T.

Code: ThOA	Time Slot/Poster Number: 09:10-09:35	Session: 7 Tesla & Beyond
Imaging the Human Body in the Realm of Unusual RF Behavior at Ultrahigh Magnetic Fields
Kamil Ugurbil
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Abstract
In the last two decades, we have explored increasing fields with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) in pursuit of extracting information on physiological processes non-invasively in humans, going first to 4 Tesla, and subsequently to 7 and 9.4T. The RF in the human body at the proton resonance frequency at 7T and beyond exhibits damped traveling wave behavior, leading to major challenges on the transmit side. This unusual RF behavior has been managed through highly parallel multichannel transmit and receive methodologies, leading to imaging even in the human torso. Even though some challenges remain, significant gains have been realized at these ultrahigh fields in the entire body for anatomical and functional imaging, and intracellular spectroscopy.

Code: ThOA	Time Slot/Poster Number: 09:35-09:50	Session: 7 Tesla & Beyond
High resolution anatomical imaging of the cervical spinal cord at 7 T
Eric Sigmund; Caixia Hu; Giselle Suero; Joseph Helpern
New York Univ. Langone Medical Center Radiology, New York , NY
Abstract
This work presents results of novel coil development and protocol optimization for imaging of the spinal cord at the ultra-high field 7 T platform. A single-channel loop coil and a 4-chanel cervical spine cradle array were employed for anatomical c-spine imaging, using standard T2-weighted FLASH and TSE protocols. High resolution results were obtained allowing clear gray/white matter differentiation as well as depiction of small secondary structures (denticulate ligament, nerve roots, rostral-caudal vasculature). The enhanced level of detail provided by the combination of high field and coil engineering may be useful for monitoring neuropathy, injury, or surgical planning.

Code: ThOA	Time Slot/Poster Number: 09:50-10:15	Session: 7 Tesla & Beyond
7 Tesla Imaging of the Musculoskeletal System: Challenges and Potential Opportunities
Ravinder Regatte
NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY-10016, NY
Abstract
Musculoskeletal imaging at 7T has potential opportunities in terms of increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)/spatial resolution, improved soft tissue contrast, improved sensitivity for low gamma nuclei, and larger spectral dispersion for spectroscopy applications. When compared to more typical clinical scanners, at 7T there are several challenges for musculoskeletal imaging, such as radiofrequency (RF) coil design, B1+ field homogeneity, increased chemical shift artifact, increased susceptibility artifact, and greater RF energy deposition. Despite these issues, MRI at 7T likely will provide excellent opportunities for quantitative high-resolution morphological, structural, biochemical (molecular), and functional imaging of the musculoskeletal system. In this talk, we will briefly review the current state of the art methods for morphologic, biochemical, and functional imaging of musculoskeletal disorders as well as potential future prospects for in-vivo musculoskeletal imaging via 7T MRI systems.