Signe Johanna Vannesjo1, Falk Eippert1, Yazhuo Kong1, Stuart Clare1, Karla L Miller1, and Irene Tracey1
Spinal cord MRI at ultra-high field poses considerable
technical challenges, especially related to static and dynamic B0 field
variations. We here investigated the magnitude and spatial profile of
breathing-induced B0 field fluctuations in the cervical spinal cord at 7T, by
comparing field maps acquired during breath-holds in an expired vs. inspired breathing
state. Breathing-related field fluctuations of up to 140Hz at the level of C7
were observed. We further implemented a proof-of-principle shim correction, demonstrating
the feasibility of using the shim system to compensate for the
breathing-induced fields.
