3 T MRI in paediatrics: Challenges and clinical applications

3 T MRI is being increasingly performed for clinical purposes in paediatrics, primarily because of the potential to improve spatial and temporal resolution – these can assist in overcoming the unique anatomic, physiologic and behavioural challenges of imaging children. The increased spatial resolution improves the capacity to image small patients; with particular reference to smaller structures such as the inner ear, brachial plexus, biliary system and the vascular system.The challenges inherent to imaging at high field strength remain pertinent especially, the altered T1 contrast, artefacts (susceptibility, chemical shift and B1 inhomogeneity) and safety issues, including specific absorption rate – several of these are circumvented due to software and hardware advances, or by trade off of some of the increased signal. The above mentioned challenges also create opportunities at 3 T, with improvement in MR angiography, arterial spin labelling, functional MRI, susceptibility weighted imaging, and MR spectroscopy – all of which have distinctive applications in paediatrics. Whole body imaging also becomes more practical because of the capacity for faster scans.3 T MRI has the potential to image all the systems in paediatrics. However, neonatal brain and paediatric spine imaging have specific challenges at 3 T. Several factors also limit cardiac imaging at present. Further improvements in coil technology and newer sequences may help overcome the challenges that remain.