Does 3.0-T MRI alter the quantification and detection of carotid plaque morphology and composition compared to 1.5-T MRI?
Established imaging criteria for 1.5-T MRI can be reliably applied to 3.0-T MRI for the interpretation of carotid vessel wall morphology.
At higher field strengths, the increased susceptibility of calcification and paramagnetic ferric iron in hemorrhage may alter quantification and/or detection. Nevertheless, imaging criteria at 1.5 T for carotid vessel wall interpretation are applicable at 3.0 T.
Underhill et al. (Mon,) studied this question.