Altaf Ahmed, Shakir Muhammad, Irshad Hammad Atif, Atif Shiza, Kumari Usha, Islam Omar, Kimberly W Taylor, Knopp Edmond, Truwit Chip, Siddiqui Khan, Enam S Ather
Department of Surgery, Section of Neurosurgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Medical College, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Surg Neurol Int. 2024 Jun 28;15:218. doi: 10.25259/SNI_162_2024. eCollection 2024.
Ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF-MRI) has emerged as an alternative with several portable clinical applications. This review aims to comprehensively explore its applications, potential limitations, technological advancements, and expert recommendations.
A review of the literature was conducted across medical databases to identify relevant studies. Articles on clinical usage of ULF-MRI were included, and data regarding applications, limitations, and advancements were extracted. A total of 25 articles were included for qualitative analysis.
The review reveals ULF-MRI efficacy in intensive care settings and intraoperatively. Technological strides are evident through innovative reconstruction techniques and integration with machine learning approaches. Additional advantages include features such as portability, cost-effectiveness, reduced power requirements, and improved patient comfort. However, alongside these strengths, certain limitations of ULF-MRI were identified, including low signal-to-noise ratio, limited resolution and length of scanning sequences, as well as variety and absence of regulatory-approved contrast-enhanced imaging. Recommendations from experts emphasize optimizing imaging quality, including addressing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and resolution, decreasing the length of scan time, and expanding point-of-care magnetic resonance imaging availability.
This review summarizes the potential of ULF-MRI. The technology's adaptability in intensive care unit settings and its diverse clinical and surgical applications, while accounting for SNR and resolution limitations, highlight its significance, especially in resource-limited settings. Technological advancements, alongside expert recommendations, pave the way for refining and expanding ULF-MRI's utility. However, adequate training is crucial for widespread utilization.
超低场磁共振成像（ULF-MRI）已成为一种具有多种便携式临床应用的替代技术。本综述旨在全面探讨其应用、潜在局限性、技术进展以及专家建议。
对医学数据库中的文献进行综述，以识别相关研究。纳入关于ULF-MRI临床应用的文章，并提取有关应用、局限性和进展的数据。共纳入25篇文章进行定性分析。
该综述揭示了ULF-MRI在重症监护环境和术中的有效性。通过创新的重建技术以及与机器学习方法的整合，技术进步显而易见。其他优势包括便携性、成本效益、降低功耗要求以及提高患者舒适度等特点。然而，在这些优势之外，也发现了ULF-MRI的某些局限性，包括低信噪比、有限的分辨率和扫描序列长度，以及缺乏经监管批准的对比增强成像。专家建议强调优化成像质量，包括解决信噪比（SNR）和分辨率问题、缩短扫描时间长度以及扩大床旁磁共振成像的可用性。
本综述总结了ULF-MRI的潜力。该技术在重症监护病房环境中的适应性及其多样的临床和外科应用，同时考虑到信噪比和分辨率的局限性，凸显了其重要性，尤其是在资源有限的环境中。技术进步以及专家建议为完善和扩展ULF-MRI的效用铺平了道路。然而，充分的培训对于广泛应用至关重要。
