Jurek A. Nordmeyer-Massner1, Michael Wyss1, Gustav Andreisek2, Juerg Hodler3, Klaas P. Pruessmann1
1Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; 2Institute for Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; 3Departement of Radiology, Balgrist University Hospital , Zurich, Switzerland
We present a comparison of wrist MRI at 3T and 7T using geometrically identical mechanically adjustable coil arrays. The analysis includes qualitative and quantitative measures. SNR maps incorporating the effects of coil-to-coil noise correlation were calculated and analyzed by defining regions of interest (ROI) in clinically relevant regions including cartilage layers between carpal bones, the trabecular bone structure of the os lunatum, the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and the median nerve. In general the SNR was higher at 7T than at 3T although the gain was less pronounced than might by expected from the mere field strength ratio.