Jens M. Theysohn1,2, Oliver Kraff1,2, Stefan Maderwald1,2, Marcus Gerwig3, Dagmar Timmann3, Franz Schmitt4, Lena Schaefer1,2, Sebastian Blex1,2, Elke R. Gizewski1,2, Michael Forsting1,2, Mark E. Ladd1,2, Susanne C. Ladd1,2, Andreas K. Bitz1,2
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, NRW, Germany; 2Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, NRW, Germany; 3Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, NRW, Germany; 4Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany
Ultra-high-field MRI (7 Tesla and above) generates more temporary side-effects compared to 1.5T and 3T, e.g. dizziness. In this study, postural stability was quantitatively measured before and after exposure to magnetic and electromagnetic fields of a 7 Tesla MR system. Forty-nine volunteers underwent Romberg’s tests. Stability shortly after MRI exposure was significantly reduced; when no RF was applied, the effect showed a similar trend but did not achieve significance. The results show that exposure to 7 Tesla causes only a temporary dysfunction of the vestibular system which does not appear to be related to the RF field.
