Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard imaging modality for soft tissues. It produces detail cross-sectional images of soft tissue and bone anatomy, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, brain and organs, without the use of ionizing radiation. In addition to orthopedic imaging, MRI is also used for heart, brain and breast. MRI uses gadolinium contrast in many exams to highlight tissues and blood vessels, which enhances images and offers better diagnostic quality. It can also be used in conjunction with PET scans. How does MRI work? MR creates images by using powerful magnets to polarize hydrogen atoms in water (the body is made of of more than 80% water) so they face in one direction. A radiofrequency pulse is then used to ping these atoms, causing them to wobble, or resonate. The MRI coils detect this and computers can assemble images from the signals. Basic MRI scans will focus on the resonance of fat and water in two different sequences, which highlight and contrast different features in the anatomy.

Radiologists speak out against whole-body MRI screening in prominent editorial
Matthew S. Davenport, MD, MBA, and Scott B. Reeder, MD, PhD, made their plea to patients and providers in an opinion piece published May 6 in JAMA.
Certain strokes likely caused by artery widening, not blockages, new MRI data show
Imaging findings could explain why treatments involving aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs are not effective in some stroke patients.
MRI reveals link between hidden muscle fat and undiagnosed cardiometabolic risk
A specialized algorithm is giving experts a better understanding of how hidden muscle fat on imaging affects cardiometabolic health.
Even low-level drinking is bad for long-term brain health, MRI shows
Alcohol intake, even at levels lower than the recommended ranges, can reduce cortical thickness and perfusion in multiple brain regions.
SimonMed collaborates with women's health AI company to improve MRI diagnoses
EndomAI was developed to support radiologists in detecting and quantifying endometriosis on magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Radiologists speak out against whole-body MRI screening in prominent editorial

Matthew S. Davenport, MD, MBA, and Scott B. Reeder, MD, PhD, made their plea to patients and providers in an opinion piece published May 6 in JAMA.

Certain strokes likely caused by artery widening, not blockages, new MRI data show

Imaging findings could explain why treatments involving aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs are not effective in some stroke patients.

MRI reveals link between hidden muscle fat and undiagnosed cardiometabolic risk

A specialized algorithm is giving experts a better understanding of how hidden muscle fat on imaging affects cardiometabolic health.

Even low-level drinking is bad for long-term brain health, MRI shows

Alcohol intake, even at levels lower than the recommended ranges, can reduce cortical thickness and perfusion in multiple brain regions.

Routine IR procedure could treat endometriosis.

SimonMed collaborates with women's health AI company to improve MRI diagnoses

EndomAI was developed to support radiologists in detecting and quantifying endometriosis on magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Ultraprocessed foods may degrade muscle health, new MRI findings suggest

High consumption of these foods could lead to increased levels of intramuscular fat—a known marker of poor muscle health, according to new research published in Radiology.

AI software more than halves hospital's MRI exam times

Leaders at the hospital have equipped the radiology department’s MRI scanner with a new AI software that essentially fills in the blanks between image slices with synthetic images.

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MRI findings suggest parts of the brain reorganize to become 'younger' after a stroke

The finding could signal that the brain has the potential to heal itself in the long-term after a stroke.