| Cost |
Lower cost |
Higher cost |
| SNR |
Moderate SNR; sufficient for routine imaging |
~2x SNR vs 1.5T; can also use this higher SNR for higher spatial resolution or faster scan time, enabling advanced sequences. |
| Field Homogeneity |
More forgiving B0 field |
Harder to keep homogeneous |
| Susceptibility artefacts |
Less artefacts due to less local B0 inhomogeneity |
More artefacts as susceptibility effects scale with B0 esp. near metal, more chemical shift, more B0-related artefacts in general |
| Clinical use |
Preferred for cardiac, abdomen, and patient with implants |
Preferred for neuro (fMRI, perfusion, DTI), small structures (inner ear, prostate, cartilage, small nerves), dynamic MRA |
| Specific absorption rate (SAR) |
Cooler with fewer specific absorption rate (SAR) limitations |
Potentially warmer due to higher SAR (~4x SAR vs 1.5T); more SAR limitations, especially for longer scans |
