Fluorine MRI stands at the forefront of imaging technology, diverging from conventional MRI by harnessing the properties of the element fluorine (^19^F) rather than the ubiquitous hydrogen (^1^H). Although hydrogen dominates biological tissues, fluorine can be strategically introduced into the body through fluorinated organic compounds, either as pharmaceuticals or contrast agents, offering a unique avenue for pharmacological and imaging advancements. This innovation heralds a new era in personalized medicine, facilitating targeted drug imaging and precise therapy customization for individual patients. The paramount advantage of fluorine MRI lies in its ability to produce a distinct signal, thereby enhancing contrast and specificity in imaging specific tissues or processes. The fluorine atom has a high MRI sensitivity but the physiological availability of fluorine is low, resulting in a suboptimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Addressing this challenge necessitates cutting-edge hardware advancements, including ultrahigh magnetic fields like 9.4 and 21.1 Tesla, and cryogenically cooled radiofrequency probes. Looking forward, the integration of AI-based methodologies for image acquisition, reconstruction, and segmentation holds immense promise, further propelling the capabilities of fluorine MRI towards unprecedented heights.
For further insights, refer to the publications listed below.