Magnetic Resonance Safety in the 7T Environment

The arrival of 7T MR imaging into the clinic represents a significant step-change in MR technology. This article describes safety concerns associated with imaging at 7T, including the increased magnetic forces on magnetic objects at 7T and the interaction of the 300 MHz (Larmor) radiofrequency energy with tissue in the body. A dedicated multidisciplinary 7T Safety team should develop safety policies and procedures to address these safety challenges and keep abreast of best practice in the field. The off-label imaging of implanted devices is discussed, and also the need for staff training to deal with complexities of patient handling and image interpretation.