Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42257870›Full record

ReviewClinical neuroradiology2026

Clinical Research for the Use of 7 T Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Spinal Pathologies: a Scoping Review.

Nathan Nguyen, Alexa R Lauinger, Anant Naik, Robert Liu, Yagiz Yolcu, Paul M Arnold

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical neuroradiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Nathan NguyenCarle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA. nathann5@illinois.edu.
Alexa R LauingerCarle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
Anant NaikDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, USA.
Robert LiuCarle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
Yagiz YolcuDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, USA.
Paul M ArnoldCarle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7 T (7T) offers higher signal-to-noise ratio and improved spatial resolution compared to lower magnetic field strengths such as 1.5T and 3T, which may improve lesion detection and anatomical visualization for spinal cord pathology. This review summarizes current techniques and achievements in 7T spinal imaging and outlines associated technical barriers and future directions.

methodsA scoping review in accordance with PRISMA extension for scoping reviews guidelines was performed utilizing PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Only studies related to 7T MRI of human subjects were included, after removing unrelated studies and those of non-human subjects.

resultsTwenty-nine studies were included. Current literature supports 7T's superior resolution and signal-to-noise ratio in comparison to 1.5T and 3T MRI. These studies reported improved lesion detection and staging in multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); however, the implications of results are limited by small sample sizes, technical heterogeneity, and inconsistent outcome measures. Additionally, the use of 7T spinal imaging remains limited by radiofrequency coil design, susceptibility artifacts, physiological noise, lack of FDA-clearance for spinal indications, and an absence of standardized imaging protocols. Future research aims to address these limitations.

conclusionSpinal cord imaging at 7T is challenging due to technical constraints and higher susceptibility to artifacts as a result of physiological noise (respiration, swallowing, and bulk movement). However, early studies' results using 7T imaging support improved ability, compared to 3T, to provide enhanced visualization of fine anatomical structures, such as nerve roots, and to improve spinal cord lesion detection.

Indexed as

7‑teslaMagnetic resonance imagingNeurologyNeurosurgerySafetyUltra-high field imaging

Identifiers

PMID42257870

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.