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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Lightweight, short-stature MR scanner cleared

The FDA has greenlit a whole-body MRI machine that uses deep learning and advanced image processing to wring “elevated image quality” from a magnet with only 0.55 Tesla field strength.

MRI confirmed as gold standard for pre-biopsy detection of prostate cancer—but that’s ‘not the end of the story’

A clinical trial pitting MRI against a burgeoning PET/CT technique has found the de facto defending champion better at revealing the presence of any grade of prostate cancer.

Low back imaging: All-in-one MR makes strong showing vs. added CT

Two emerging MRI techniques show promise as all-in-one imaging tests for patients with pain in and below the lower back due to changes in the sacroiliac joint.

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IDE granted for clinical research of MRI-guided focused ultrasound

The FDA has cleared a focused-ultrasound developer to compare the safety and efficacy of acoustic energy for treating prostate cancer against the more conservative approach of active surveillance.

Some neurovascular imaging studies are overutilized in stroke triage

Triaging patients with stroke-like symptoms using MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) could reduce the cost burden associated with unnecessary neurovascular imaging procedures. 

Detailed MRI reveals pulmonary vascular abnormalities in COVID long-haulers

Researchers had 40 participants inhale polarized xenon gas in order to conduct 129Xe MRI exams for the study.

A narrow miss for AI trained to find pacemakers on X-rays for MRI safety

A convolutional neural network has achieved 99.67% accuracy at flagging the presence of pacemakers on chest radiographs in patients referred for MRI.

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How does menopause impact the brain? MRI scans hold clues

There is a need to gain a more thorough understanding of how menopause might affect the vascular health of the brain, experts explained in Neurology.

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