Establishing a comprehensive multiple sclerosis imaging protocol at 7.0T

Purpose: Several studies have shown that the detection of multiple sclerosis plaques is improved at higher magnetic fields such as 3.0T if compared with 1.5T. Triggered by the positive experiences that have been obtained at 3.0T, efforts are made to allow clinical MR imaging at even higher magnetic fields. MR systems operating at a field strength of 7.0T are meanwhile available and are ready for clinical use. Our aim was to do the first steps for establishing an MRI protocol that is suitable for imaging multiple sclerosis patients at 7.0T. Prerequisite was to include all pulse sequences that are required for dia…