Jens M. Theysohn1,2, Oliver Kraff1,2,
Stefan Maderwald1,2, Marcus Gerwig3, Dagmar Timmann3,
Franz Schmitt4, Lena Schaefer1,2, Sebastian Blex1,2,
Elke R. Gizewski1,2, Michael Forsting1,2, Mark E. Ladd1,2,
Susanne C. Ladd1,2, Andreas K. Bitz1,2
1Department of Diagnostic and
Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen,
Essen, NRW, Germany; 2Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic
Resonance Imaging, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, NRW, Germany; 3Department
of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, NRW, Germany; 4Siemens
Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany
Ultra-high-field
MRI (7 Tesla and above) generates more temporary side-effects compared to
1.5T and 3T, e.g. dizziness. In this study, postural stability was
quantitatively measured before and after exposure to magnetic and
electromagnetic fields of a 7 Tesla MR system. Forty-nine volunteers
underwent Rombergs tests. Stability shortly after MRI exposure was
significantly reduced; when no RF was applied, the effect showed a similar
trend but did not achieve significance. The results show that exposure to 7
Tesla causes only a temporary dysfunction of the vestibular system which does
not appear to be related to the RF field.