Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is superior to computed tomography (CT) in terms of its capability to detect ultra-early lesions in the acute stage of cerebral infarction. However, in neurological critical care, CT is usually selected as the first-line technique of diagnostic imaging because of the reduced time necessary for imaging, fewer limitations for the patient, and higher safety and sensitivity in detection of bleeding. In January 2005, a 3.0Tesla MRI device for whole body imaging (Signa EXCITE 3.0, General Electric Company) was approved in Japan and was first installed in our hospital. Its full-scale operation was immediately started. Presently, it is often used for imaging of the head in combination with an additionally approved 8-ch coil.Compared to the currently available highest-level 1.5Tesla MRI device, the 3.0Tesla MRI device (hereinafter simply called “3.0T MRI device”) has a two-fold higher signal to noise ratio, and requires only one fourth of the time for imaging. Furthermore, its high magnetization efficiency allows improved detectability of hemorrhagic lesions (subarachnoid hemorrhage, etc.). Making use of these characteristics of this new device, we have been taking MR images and MR angiograms of patients in the acute stage of stroke for the purpose of evaluation and diagnosis. We present the usefulness of 3.0T MRI device in the neurological critical care and the prospects for 3.0T MRI  to replace the role of CT as the first-line technique of diagnostic imaging. 

Keywords: 3.0 T MRI , neurological critical care , stroke