Cranial fixation plates in cerebral magnetic resonance imaging: a 3 and 7 Tesla in vivo image quality study

• Published in: Magma (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2016-06, Vol.29 (3), p.389-398
• Main Authors: Chen, Bixia, Schoemberg, Tobias, Kraff, Oliver, Dammann, Philipp, Bitz, Andreas K., Schlamann, Marc, Quick, Harald H., Ladd, Mark E., Sure, Ulrich, Wrede, Karsten H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Bone Plates; Bones; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain - pathology; Brain Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Brain Neoplasms - surgery; Computer Appl. in Life Sciences; Craniotomy - methods; Equipment Design; Female; Field strength; Fixation; Health Informatics; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Image quality; Imaging; Implantation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurosurgery; Postoperative Period; Preoperative Period; Prospective Studies; Radiology; Research Article; Skull - diagnostic imaging; Solid State Physics; Titanium - chemistry; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0968-5243; 1352-8661
• DOI: 10.1007/s10334-016-0548-1

Objective This study assesses and quantifies impairment of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7 Tesla (T) after implantation of titanium cranial fixation plates (CFPs) for neurosurgical bone flap fixation. Materials and methods The study group comprised five patients who were intra-individually examined with 3 and 7 T MRI preoperatively and postoperatively (within 72 h/3 months) after implantation of CFPs. Acquired sequences included T 1 -weighted magnetization-prepared rapid-acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE), T 2 -weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) imaging, and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Two experienced neurosurgeons and a neuroradiologist rated image quality and the presence of artifacts in consensus reading. Results Minor artifacts occurred around the CFPs in MPRAGE and T 2 TSE at both field strengths, with no significant differences between 3 and 7 T. In SWI, artifacts were accentuated in the early postoperative scans at both field strengths due to intracranial air and hemorrhagic remnants. After resorption, the brain tissue directly adjacent to skull bone could still be assessed. Image quality after 3 months was equal to the preoperative examinations at 3 and 7 T. Conclusion Image quality after CFP implantation was not significantly impaired in 7 T MRI, and artifacts were comparable to those in 3 T MRI.