Motivation: Epilepsy can be imaged at 3T utilizing typical imaging sequences, but improved quality and resolution can be achieved using 7T, enabling better detection of lesions and subsequently better chances of a successful treatment outcomes.

Goal(s): Provide higher quality images for patients with epilepsy on 7T.
 

Approach: 146 patients were evaluated for epilepsy using 7T MRI.  Among these, 117 patients also had prior 3T MRI for comparison.

Results: Combining 3T and 7T MRI has demonstrated promise in improving the diagnostic and surgical decision-making process for epilepsy patients for our neurologists and neurosurgeons. 

Impact: In conjunction with 3T imaging, our findings at 7T consistently detect a greater number of lesions in epilepsy patients, resulting in greater confidence in localizing and characterizing lesions that were questionable or not identified at 3T.

Motivation: Ensuring the proper use of hearing protection during extensive scanning at a 7T system with high acoustic noise levels is crucial.

Goal(s): We investigate if MRI examinations have acute and/or persisting effects on the hearing even if hearing protection is used.

Approach: Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) were used to evaluate the effects of noise exposure after two MRI scanning sessions in a single day. OAE measurements were conducted prior to and after each scanning and with a one-week follow-up.

Results: We found no significant differences in outer hair cell function between the baseline measurement and the first MRI and the follow-up OAE measurement.

Impact: Research protocols at a 7T system often involve long scanning sessions using sequences with high acoustic noise levels. When hearing protection is adequately used, MRI scanning can be performed without effects on the participant`s hearing.

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Motivation: TBM is the most severe form of tuberculosis and often leads to death or neurological sequelae. Inflammation caused by a dysregulated inflammatory response can cause stroke, a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in TBM.

Goal(s): To accurately identify areas affected by stroke in TBM.

Approach: MRI brain scan was performed on 1.5 Tesla, Skyra scanner equipped with an 20 channel coil and parameters were derived from the following acquisitions: 3D T1-MPRAGE pre- and post-gadolinium enhancement imaging; DWI and ADC map, FLAIR, and GRE.

Results: MRI is reliable in identifying stroke features and the imaging findings were pivotal to prompt treatment of TBM.

Impact: 14-year-old with a left CNVI palsy and lower limb weakness, was admitted due to onset of seizure. Tuberculous meningitis complicated by stroke was diagnosed as the cause. The incidence, consequences and MRI features of TBM are discussed in this report.