Low-Field Musculoskeletal MRI: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Practice Considerations

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well established as a cornerstone of musculoskeletal imaging. Although most clinical musculoskeletal MRI examinations are performed at 1.5 T and 3 T, recent advancements in low-field MRI have enabled imaging at 0.55 T with diagnostic utility approaching that of higher field strengths. Advances in transmit-receive chain design enhance signal efficiency, and deep learning-based image reconstruction algorithms substantially improve apparent signal-to-noise ratios. Low-field MRI also offers potential advantages, including reduced system and installation costs, decreased susceptibility to metal artifacts, and improved patient comfort. However, limitations remain, most notably the difficulty in achieving robust fat suppression and the inherently lower signal-to-noise ratio. This review discusses the technical principles, image quality considerations, economic factors, and clinical challenges associated with low-field MRI, with a particular focus on applications in the musculoskeletal system.