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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ABVS means improved comfort, satisfaction for patients who would otherwise undergo MRI

Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS) evaluation is close to matching traditional breast MRI in assessing tumor diameter and volume—and it’s leaving patients more satisfied and comfortable than its conventional counterpart, a study published in the European Journal of Radiology suggests.

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Researchers use fMRI to study the brains of crocodiles

It’s no secret that researchers often use MRI equipment in creative ways. That trend has been continued by a group that turned to functional MRI (fMRI) to view the brains of crocodiles as they were exposed to various sounds.

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New York hospital drops $4.4M on claustrophobia-fighting MRI suite

Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, New York, is taking its advanced imaging services up a notch with a $4.4 million MRI suite, Niagara Frontier Publications reported this week.

Example of spectral, or dual-energy CT, confirming a pulmonary embolism (PE). Image courtesy of Philips Healthcare

MRA vs CTA for evaluating pulmonary embolism: Does the chosen modality impact downstream imaging utilization?

MR angiography (MRA) is a relatively new alternative to CT angiography (CTA) for the evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) and it even has one major advantage over CTA: it does not expose patients to ionizing radiation.

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Exporting data from DXA exams directly to the EMR reduces errors, improves turnaround times

Automatically exporting bone mineral density (BMD) data from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) exams to the electronic medical record (EMR) reduces errors and improves turnaround times, according to a new study published in the Journal of Digital Imaging.

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Whole-body MR angiography can identify early atherosclerosis at a population level

Whole-body MR angiography (MRA) is an effective screening tool for identifying early atherosclerosis in patients at low to intermediate risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published by Radiology.

Example of pulmonary embolism (PE) detection on CT and confirmed using spectral CT. Image courtesy of Philips Healthcare

Researchers 'concerned' CT angiography topped MRA in follow-ups for pulmonary embolism

A recent study found whether a patient received MR angiography (MRA) instead of CT angiography (CTA) for a pulmonary embolism (PE) had little effect on the rate of follow-up chest CT or MRI one year later.

Novel MRI sensor allows for more sensitive imaging by tracking calcium

A novel calcium-based MRI sensor will allow for more sensitive brain imaging by tracking calcium ions to monitor deep neural activity, according to research out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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