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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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.

kid child pediatric MRI imaging

Imaging research links obesity to poor brain health in children

The team will share its findings, based on imaging data from more than 5,000 pediatric patients, at RSNA 2022 in Chicago. 

Iodine contrast being loaded into a contrast injector in preparation for a cardiac CT scan at Duly Health and Care in Lisle, Illinois. The contrast shortage is causing some healthcare organizations to postpone exams and procedures and ration contrast supplies. Photo by Dave Fornell

A new way to prepare imaging agents, thanks to a new method of radiolabeling

Isotopic labeling is time-consuming and expensive. Now, a new development in isotopic labeling heralds a new way to prepare imaging agents. 

By visualizing metabolism, researchers hope to improve heart disease diagnosis

Hyperpolarized MRI may help identify metabolism problems—which can be an early signal of a heart condition—in real time.

Ultra-high-res MRI Reveals Migraine Brain Changes

7T MRI scans provide a high-res look at how migraines affect the brain

In a new analysis, scheduled to be presented at RSNA 2022 in Chicago, researchers have identified enlarged perivascular spaces in the brains of migraine patients. This may be suggestive of waste clearance issues in the central nervous system.

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Experts ID imaging biomarkers in kids with ADHD

The study's authors explained how MRI results can be used to help identify children with ADHD—and how these findings could be used in the AI algorithms of tomorrow. The team will be presenting its findings at RSNA 2022 in Chicago. 

Canadian radiologists push federal lawmakers to deal with ‘devastating impact’ of long waits for medical imaging

Radiologists from across Canada descended on Parliament Hill in Ottawa earlier this month to voice pressing concerns on behalf of medical-imaging patients and professionals.

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'Significant' brain abnormalities shown to persist 6 months after COVID recovery

The regions that displayed the most significant differentiations in susceptibility values are known to be associated with neurological conditions such as fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches and other cognitive issues—all common complaints among many COVID long haulers. 

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