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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Cancer patients unruffled by whole-body MRI per se

Claustrophobic or not, most would choose the radiation-free modality over CT and tend to consider imaging-exam outcomes more worrisome than MRI in and of itself anyway.

kid child pediatric MRI imaging

MRI scans could be key to managing ADHD treatment

A new brain imaging study is giving experts insight into how medication used to treat ADHD works in the brain to soften symptoms associated with the neurological disorder. 

This is your brain on smartphones: MRI study reveals altered network strength in brains of smartphone 'addicts'

The study, which was published in Brain and Behavior, found that individuals who used their smartphone excessively displayed different strengths in the prefrontal and parietal neural network.

Philips MRI

Growing contrast concerns accompany rising MRI volumes

More than half of surveyed radiologists worry about MRI contrast availability, yet almost all—99%—wish for contrast agents that would cut current gadolinium concentrations at least in half.

Philips MRI

Amid looming helium shortage, Philips enters research agreement to study alternative cooling methods for MRI scanners

The healthcare industry accounts for close to 30% of global helium consumption, with MRI equipment needs accounting for a significant portion of that figure.

Dynamic lung air flow analysis just using X-ray without any contrast with new technology from 4D Medical.

PHOTO GALLERY: New technology and trends at RSNA 2022

Images from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2022 annual meeting Nov. 27- Dec. 1 in Chicago. The gallery includes new technologies and a look at sights around the world's largest radiology conference. 

MRI data reveal how pandemic-related stress physically aged the brains of teens

Researchers involved in the study suggested that, until now, this sort of growth acceleration in adolescents had only been observed in children who had experienced extreme adversity, such as violence, neglect and family dysfunction. 

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Drinking alcohol while pregnant: Less than 1 drink per week can cause 'significant' changes in the brains of fetuses

A study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America is raising questions about the safety of consuming even the slightest amount of alcohol while pregnant.

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