Novel acquisition techniques that are facilitated by 3T

Compared with lower field strength systems, magnetic resonance (MR) at 3T has many theoretical and real advantages. Included in the advantages are higher signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) as well as larger spectral separation of fat, water, and various metabolites which can be used to improve fat saturation techniques as well as MR spectroscopy methods. In addition to these advantages that can be applied to already routine clinical imaging, 3T systems also provide advantages that can be exploited for novel techniques. This chapter will outline the advantages of 3T systems in terms of basic physics considerations, application, and advantages in routine sequences as well as potential application in novel imaging techniques such as MR spectroscopy, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), arterial spin labeling (ASL), susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), as well as magnetic resonance elastography (MRE).