Comparison of detection of brain lesions in multiple sclerosis in magnetic resonance imaging at magnetic field strength of 1.0 and 3.0 Tesla

To estimate the relative sensitivity of MR examination for brain lesions in multiple sclerosis at 1.0 Tesla (T) and 3.0 T using identical acquisition conditions. 54 patients with multiple sclerosis were examined both at 1.0T (Siemens Impact Expert) and 3.0T (Philips Intera) using T1-weighted spin echo (T1W-SE) with and without gadolinium contrast injections, T2W SE and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging. Images were examined independently by three experienced neuroradiologists using focal lesion counting. 3.0T scans compared with 1.0T scans demonstrate a 27.3%, increase in the number of detected contrast enhanced lesions and an 22.7% increase in the number of detected lesions on FLAIR MR tomograms. Highfield 3.0T MR imaging demonstrates better sensitivity in the detection of focal brain lesions in multiple sclerosis. This improvement is more apparent in contrast enhanced lesion detection and less noticeable in FLAIR detected lesions.