Wolter L. de Graaf1, F. Visser2,3,
M. P. Wattjes1, J. Geurts4, P. Pouwels5, C.
H. Polman6, F. Barkhof1, P. R. Luijten2, J.
A. Castelijns1
1Radiology, VU University Medical
Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; 2Image Science Institute,
University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; 3PHILIPS
Healthcare; 4Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam,
Netherlands; 5Physics and Medical Technology, VU University
Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; 6Neurology, VU University
Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
MR
diagnostics in Multiple Sclerosis have benefited from sequences like fluid
attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and double inversion recovery (DIR),
that increase sensitivity especially in cortical regions. We demonstrate use
of 3D (isotropic) FLAIR, DIR and T1-weighted clinically feasible imaging at 7
Tesla. Images were read for the number of lesions visible in the regular
classifications for the several sequences. Results were also compared with
images obtained from the same patients at 3 Tesla. A large sensitivity
increase especially in cortical regions was found at 7 Tesla for all 3D
sequences. 3D-FLAIR however, proofed to be the most sensitive.