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.

Radiologists launch CoreViva, another elective whole-body MRI startup
Co-founders Alan Alexander, MD, MSc, and Brian Tsui, MD, officially kickstarted the company this month after two years in “stealth” mode.
10-second brain MRI scans possible with newly FDA-cleared deep learning reconstruction software
The artificial intelligence-enabled software offers accelerated acquisition times, improved image resolution and one-click workflows for technologists.
Algorithm accurately predicts dementia risk using a single MRI scan
The tool also can be used to predict a person's brain age and risk for a myriad of other chronic conditions as well.
AI turns low-quality MRI scans into helpful heart images
A team of biomedical engineers, radiologists and cardiologists has developed a new AI model capable of restoring low-quality cardiac MRI scans.
New AI-enabled, helium-free MRI system earns FDA clearance
The scanner requires just 0.7 liters of liquid helium for cooling—a fraction of the more than 1,500 liters standard systems need to operate safely.

Insights into early MRI-termination risk factors offer helpful strategies for prevention

Even a small number of early terminations can be costly, in addition to creating negative experiences for patients, experts wrote in the European Journal of Radiology.

MRI catches CT in head-to-head lung imaging

When it comes to assessing patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, contrast-enhanced CT pulmonary angiography has no diagnostic edge over a certain free-breathing, unenhanced MRI perfusion protocol.

0.55T MRI lumbar compared to 1.5T sequence #lumbarMRI #1.5T

Low-field MRI systems improve accessibility, but what kind of diagnostic quality do they offer?

Experts recently compared the use of a 0.55T low-field MRI system to a 1.5T system to determine whether the results rendered were within an acceptable diagnostic range.

Fatal accident calls MRI safety standards into question—are more regulations needed?

There are a number of well-intended recommendations for preventing MRI injuries, but many of them stop short of implementing safety requirements.

Some long COVID patients display 'severe' changes in their brain

For patients with anxiety and depression, even mild cases of long COVID could result in functional and structural alterations of the brain.

Expert left 'astounded' by gadolinium discovery

New data out of the University of New Mexico suggest that the imaging agent’s physiologic reach may exceed what was previously believed.

Some long COVID patients continue to display multi-organ damage one year after recovery

A new study utilizing multi-organ MRI scans recently identified organ impairment in 62% of COVID long haulers six months after their initial diagnosis; 29% of these individuals continued to display damage in at least one organ at the 12-month mark.

Common MRI findings in 'foot drop' cases

A new paper in the European Journal of Radiology offers an updated overview of common MRI findings in patients who develop foot drop following total hip arthroplasty.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Radiologists launch CoreViva, another elective whole-body MRI startup

10-second brain MRI scans possible with newly FDA-cleared deep learning reconstruction software

Algorithm accurately predicts dementia risk using a single MRI scan

AI turns low-quality MRI scans into helpful heart images

New AI-enabled, helium-free MRI system earns FDA clearance