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.

'Desktop' MRI brings physics education to the classroom
The tabletop scanner provides students with more hands-on opportunities to learn about the processes that drive the modality’s imaging capabilities.
MRI-first approach could allow many to safely forego prostate biopsy
New findings indicate as many as 96% of men with positive PSA labs who show insignificant or slow-growing cancer on MRI can safely forego biopsy for three or more years.
For the first time, researchers find a way to spot early signs of pancreatic cancer on routine MRI
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of only 44% if caught early, dropping down to 3% if it metastasizes. This is largely due to its ability to elude detection.
New MRI technology improves imaging of metallic joint replacements
The technology is so promising that it is being integrated into GE Healthcare’s MRI scanners so that providers can conduct more thorough evaluations of how these implants hold up over time.
How gaming addiction affects brain activity, according to new MRI data
Over time, the brain's reward system may become less responsive to standard rewards in individuals with gaming addiction.

A ‘magical’ experience: Patients given psychedelics don’t mind MRI noise, constraints

A new clinical trial in Australia is one of the largest in the world to use brain imaging to test the impact of psychedelics on neural activity.

January 3, 2023

Brain scans of patient who died while on experimental Alzheimer's drug cause experts to question safety

A neurologist who examined the patient's imaging explained that her brain swelling was so severe in some cases that the folds of the cerebral cortex appeared “merged and squashed.”

December 22, 2022

Cross-organ imaging illuminates the heart-brain-liver axis

A population-level study featuring multi-organ MRI has confirmed that problems in any of three major organs—the heart, brain or liver—tend to co-occur with unfavorable findings in either or both of the other two.

December 21, 2022

Radiologist- and technologist-related errors to blame for most musculoskeletal MRI recalls

These errors are frequently due to a breakdown in communication between radiologists, technologists and referring providers, either before or during exams, according to a new analysis of more nearly 63,000 musculoskeletal MRI exams.

December 20, 2022

Sean Fain, PhD, vice chair of radiology and research and a professor of radiology, Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging, University of Iowa, discusses how long-COVID lung damage can be tracked using xenon (Xe) gas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and quantitative computed tomography (CT). He spoke to Health Imaging at RSNA 2022.

VIDEO: Tracking long-COVID lung damage using MRI and CT

Sean Fain, PhD, vice chair of radiology and research and a professor of radiology, University of Iowa, discusses how long-COVID lung damage can be tracked using xenon (Xe) gas MRI and quantitative CT at RSNA 2022.

December 16, 2022