Orbital and ocular imaging using 3- and 1.5-T MR imaging systems

The use of clinical 3-T MR imaging scanners has gained popularity in many centers. An increased SNR is the main advantage of higher field strength, such as 3 T. This increased SNR can be used to acquire images with increased spatial resolution or to shorten acquisition time. Nevertheless, there are associated disadvantages, including changes in SAR exposure, changes in T1 and T2 relaxation times, increased sensitivity to field inhomogeneities, and increasing magnetic susceptibility effects, that render high-field MR imaging more challenging. Despite some of its disadvantages, we have found it to be useful for orbital and ocular imaging. There is still a need for developing techniques to minimize magnetic susceptibility effect artifacts, sequence parameters to improve T1W SE contrast, and improved pulse sequence and surface coil design for ocular imaging.