Clinical 3T magnetic resonance.

Clinical 3T magnetic resonance. Runge V, Nitz W, Schmeets S. 2007. 233 pgs. Thieme. www.thieme.com. $49.95.

As a rule, books about magnetic resonance (MR) imaging don't exactly qualify as keep-you-up-all-night page turners, but Clinical 3T Magnetic Resonance does a good job of keeping the reader's interest. Although this is primarily a textbook for radiologists and other physicians, managers of MR departments and technologists will benefit from learning about this exciting new technology. This is also a must-read for anyone who has influence over purchasing new equipment.

For the past 20 years, 1.5T equipment has been the platinum standard for MR imaging, but now there is new 3T technology with improved hardware and imaging protocols. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is increased by up to 4 times in these scanners, resulting in better spatial resolution, faster scan times and thinner slices, and these advantages far outweigh the problems of specific absorption rates (SAR) and artifacts. After extensive testing, these obstacles have been sorted out, and 3T is now safe for use in the clinical setting. As well as being a how-to manual for 3T MR, this well-written book also provides specific tools for overcoming common challenges with 3T.

What I especially liked about Clinical 3T Magnetic Resonance was that the stand-alone chapters are short, concise and packed with relevant information, making it easy to look up exactly what you need. And because each chapter is written by a different author, the information moves smooth ly. The book begins with an easy-to-understand discussion of MR imaging physics and comparisons of 1.5 and 3T technology, with an explanation of the advantages of 3T, such as faster scan times (as short as 24 seconds for the brain, which can be especially helpful for inpatients) and thinner slices (for difficult-to-see conditions such as labral tears in the shoulder). The discussion includes the safety of implants, both passive and impassive, and progresses from brain imaging all the way to spectroscopy and MR angiography.

Each chapter has a comparison of SNR, spatial resolution, SAR, protocols and techniques for artifact correction, along with illustrative examples. With better SNR, thinner slices can be obtained for the brain, cervical spine, knees and shoulders, to name a few, which results in better diagnoses. Each anatomical advantage is presented; for example, in breast imaging, 3T MR imaging "allows for substantially improved identification of infiltrating disease." In addition, many techniques to reduce artifacts are introduced, such as fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo.

As 3T MR imaging moves forward, we need well-explained guidance to begin to use this new technology in our own departments. Clinical 3T Magnetic Resonance is that resource and will be a welcome addition to any MR imaging department library.

Connie R. McCready, B.A., R.T.(R)

(M)(CT)(MR)

Kaiser Permanente

Portland, Oregon