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.

Lumbar spine MRI reports too complex for patients to understand

Lumbar spine MRI reports are too confusing for an average patient to read and understand, according to new findings published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Former mayor works for 15 years to bring MRI suite to hospital

Thanks to former mayor Trevor Marris, Ireland’s Louth County Hospital will get a new MRI suite 15 years after the idea was first proposed.

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Insurance company’s estimate was way off, leaving patient shocked by MRI price

When a patient in Delaware County, Pennsylvania used her insurance provider’s online pricing tool to obtain the price of a breast MRI, she thought it would at least be close. It wasn’t.

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Insurer's price calculator severely underestimates breast MRI cost for Philadelphia woman

Although many insurance providers have invested in price calculators for patients to determine out-of-pocket costs, one Philadelphia woman discovered they may severely underestimate actual prices for services, according to a recent report by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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SCMR's Annual Scientific Sessions to focus on global cardiovascular MR community

The Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) announced the lineup for its upcoming 22nd Annual Scientific Sessions, which has a theme of “Global CMR: Innovation and Clinical Outcomes.”

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Quantib gains FDA clearance for AI solution that helps radiologists read MRI brain scans

Quantib, a medical technology company based out of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, has received FDA clearance for its Quantib Neurodegenerative (ND) solution.

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Canadian hospital announces new MRI equipment for emergency department

Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, is soon to be home to the first MRI scanner in an emergency department in the entire province.

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MRI scans help research team learn more about treating brain tumors

Healthcare providers should consider treating men and women with glioblastoma (GBM) in different ways, according to a study published in Science Translational Medicine.