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.

Imaging industry names in the news: Koning, Medality, QT Imaging, Rezolut, Scanslated, more

Noteworthy market developments listed in the order announcements were posted.    

Why are women at lower risk for brain inflammation? Subcutaneous fat may hold the key

Researchers examined male and female mice on high-fat diets to learn about the impacts of fat distribution on brain inflammation. 

prostate cancer PSA

On its own, MRI-targeted biopsy takes big bite out of prostate cancer overdiagnosis

The gain came with the delayed discovery of only a few clinically significant cancers.

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.