Multi-center QA of ultrahigh-field systems.

Abstract

Over the past two decades, ultra-high field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has evolved from pure investigational devices to now systems with CE and FDA clearance for clinical use. UHF MRI offers enhanced diagnostic value, especially in brain and musculoskeletal imaging, aiding in the differential diagnosis of conditions like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. However, to fully harness the potential of UHF, multi-center studies and quality assurance (QA) protocols are critical for ensuring reproducibility across different systems and sites. This becomes even more vital as the UHF community comprises three generations of magnet design, and many UHF sites are currently upgrading to the latest system architecture. Hence, this review presents multi-center QA measurements that have been performed at UHF, in particular from larger consortia through their "travelling heads" studies. Despite the technical variability between different vendors and system generations, these studies have shown a high level of reproducibility in structural and quantitative imaging. Furthermore, the review highlights the ongoing challenges in QA, such as transmitter performance drift and the need for a standard reliable multi-tissue phantom for RF coil calibration, which are crucial for advancing UHF MRI in both clinical and research applications.