Monitoring SAR Metrics and Physiological Thermal Changes During Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 3T


Authors : Suganthi S; Chriswin A; Panneerselvam S; Sheila Elangovan; Thulasi Dass

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 7 - July


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yc7j3ybs

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/34ahwkrb

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jul761

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Abstract : Background: Monitoring SAR and body temperature changes during 3T MRI is crucial for fetal safety. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which measures energy absorbed by tissues and could potentially induce heating in pregnant patients. This study estimates SAR values in fetal MRI exams and correlates them with maternal temperature changes pre and post scan to assess thermal safety at 3.0 Tesla.  Methods: This prospective study involved 50 pregnant patients with gestational periods from 20 to 36 weeks who were referred for fetal MRI at 3.0 Tesla. The Mean SAR values ,the Pre & Post Scan body temperature changes and along with scan time per sequence per study were estimated, and analyzed for potential correlations.  Results: The ANOVA test was performed the mean SAR was 1.3 W/kg, with a pre and post scan temperature of 98.2°F and 97.3°F indicating (p ≥ 0.05) no statistically significant correlation between SAR values with respect to weight and temperature . The data based on total scan time while performing all three sequence, the result showed statically significance (p ≤ 0.05) ,only with the SAR value but not with the temperature difference(p ≥ 0.05) .  Conclusion: The current study HASTE sequences show higher SAR and involving minimal influence on whole-body temperature in fetal MRI. This study suggests MR technologists should apply SAR reducing strategies to limit scan time, ensuring safe and efficient fetal imaging at 3.0 Tesla.

Keywords : Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), Specific Energy Dose (SED), Half Fourier Acquisition Single Shot Turbo Spin Echo (HASTE).

References :

  1. MRI in practice -Catherine Westbrook ,Training and Education ,HealthSouth  (UK) plc
  2. More on SAR – A practical Guidance for MRI users. Franz X. Hebrank, Ph.D. Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany Shellock FG, Schaefer DF. Radiofrequency Energy-Induced Heating during Magnetic Resonance Procedures: Laboratory and Clinical Experiences. In:Shellock FG, Bradley WG, eds. Magnetic Resonance Procedures: Health Effects and Safety. Boca Raton,  FL; CRC Press; 2000:75-95.
  3. What MRI sequences produce the highest specific absorption rate (SAR), and is there something we should be doing to reduce the SAR during standard examinations? Allison, J., & Yanasak, N. (2015). American Journal of Roentgenology, 205(2), W140-W140.
  4. Barrera CA, Francavilla ML, Serai SD, Edgar JC, Jaimes C, Gee MS, Roberts TP, Otero HJ, Adzick NS, Victoria T. Specific absorption rate and specific energy dose: comparison of 1.5-T versus 3.0-T fetal MRI. Radiology. 2020 Jun;295(3):664-74
  5. Krishnamurthy U, Neelavalli J, Mody S, Yeo L, Jella P, Saleem S, Korzeniewski S, Cabrera M, Ehterami S, Bahado-Singh R, Katkuri Y, Haacke E, Hernandez-Andrade E, Hassan S, Romero R. MR imaging of the fetal brain at 1.5T and 3.0T field strengths: comparing specific absorption rate (SAR) and image quality
  6. Three-dimensional brain MRI for DBS patients within ultra-low radiofrequency power limits Sarkar, S. N., Papavassiliou, E., Hackney, D. B., Alsop, D. C., Shih, L. C., Madhuranthakam, A. J., .& Bhadelia, R. A. (2014).. Movement Disorders, 29(4), 546-549
  7. Brain MR imaging at ultra-low radiofrequency power .Sarkar, S. N., Alsop, D. C.,            Madhuranthakam, A. J., Busse, R. F., Robson, P. M., Rofsky, N. M., & Hackney, D. B. (2011). Radiology, 259(2), 550-557.
  8. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging with reduced specific absorption rate in patients harbouring a spinal cord stimulation device-A single-centre prospective study analysing safety, tolerability and image quality. Mutter, U. M., Bellut, D., Porchet, F., & Schuknecht, B. (2013). Acta neurochirurgica, 155(12), 2327-2332.
  9. Estimation of specific absorption rate (SAR) 1.5Tesla Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Scanner using common brain scans – Esther .C , Victor R.Lazar , Binitha.b, Kingsly.D , Ananthi.M.

Background: Monitoring SAR and body temperature changes during 3T MRI is crucial for fetal safety. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which measures energy absorbed by tissues and could potentially induce heating in pregnant patients. This study estimates SAR values in fetal MRI exams and correlates them with maternal temperature changes pre and post scan to assess thermal safety at 3.0 Tesla.  Methods: This prospective study involved 50 pregnant patients with gestational periods from 20 to 36 weeks who were referred for fetal MRI at 3.0 Tesla. The Mean SAR values ,the Pre & Post Scan body temperature changes and along with scan time per sequence per study were estimated, and analyzed for potential correlations.  Results: The ANOVA test was performed the mean SAR was 1.3 W/kg, with a pre and post scan temperature of 98.2°F and 97.3°F indicating (p ≥ 0.05) no statistically significant correlation between SAR values with respect to weight and temperature . The data based on total scan time while performing all three sequence, the result showed statically significance (p ≤ 0.05) ,only with the SAR value but not with the temperature difference(p ≥ 0.05) .  Conclusion: The current study HASTE sequences show higher SAR and involving minimal influence on whole-body temperature in fetal MRI. This study suggests MR technologists should apply SAR reducing strategies to limit scan time, ensuring safe and efficient fetal imaging at 3.0 Tesla.

Keywords : Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), Specific Energy Dose (SED), Half Fourier Acquisition Single Shot Turbo Spin Echo (HASTE).

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Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

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