Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Equine Patient: A Comparison of High- and Low-Field Systems

As use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging evolves in veterinary medicine, the importance of field strength will be a continued source of debate. This article addresses the fundamental differences between high- and low-field MR imaging systems. The magnet and room construction, examination time, image quality, and implications on diagnostic accuracy are discussed. Although many injuries can be well characterized with both high- and low-field systems, a high-field system is required to identify certain lesions. Further studies are needed to define the difference in the detectability of lesions on high-field versus low-field MR imaging systems.