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.

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5 keys to maintaining a safety program in the MRI suite

No matter how much safety planning and training occur in a radiology department, accidents can still happen in the MRI suite—and they are often dramatic and unpredictable. An article published online Aug. 24 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology details the experience of a team from the University in Seattle in implementing training and risk management procedures.

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Breast MRI improves quality of care for DCIS patients

Performing MRI on patients with non-invasive breast cancer can provide additional value, according to a new study published in Academic Radiology.

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Study: Gadolinium safe to use for MR arthrography

Intraarticular gadolinium administration for MR arthrography leaves no detectable gadolinium deposition in the brain, according to research published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

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Patients who undergo prostate MRI for low-risk prostate cancer more likely to receive observation

Patients who undergo prostate MRI in the time surrounding a prostate cancer diagnosis are much more likely to receive observation, according to a new study published in Urology.

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MRI-guided focal HDR-BT has low toxicity rates, little negative impact on quality of life

MRI-guided focal high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) presents low toxicity rates and maintains quality of life when used to treat prostate cancer, according to new research published in Radiotherapy and Oncology.

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Researchers use fMRI to study how dehydration affects the brain

Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta have used fMRI to examine what happens to a person’s brain when it is dehydrated, sharing their findings in a new study published by Physiological Reports.

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Iron-based MRI contrast agent outperforms gadolinium

Neuroscientists have found a way to embed iron into nanoparticles to create an MRI contrast agent that outperforms gadolinium, sharing their research in ACS Nano.

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How a Stanford professor is making the MRI suite kid-friendly

A Stanford University initiative to make MRI equipment more child-friendly has led to the development of smaller, more lightweight coils that could have positive implications for patients both young and old, according to a recent Q&A.