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.

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.

Expansion of open-source neuroimaging dataset aims to boost stroke research

Researchers recently revamped the database in the hopes of expanding algorithm development in the field of stroke care. 

Alex Ding, MD, radiologist and incoming AMA Board trustee, explains the new AMA policy that calls on Ciongress to change the requirements of the CMS requirement for appropriate use criteria clinical decision support software for all advanced imaging exams, including CT and MRI. #AMA #AMAmtg #AMA175 #AUC

VIDEO: AMA will ask Congress to change mandate on appropriate use criteria clinical decision support

Alexander Ding, MD, a radiologist and incoming American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees member, explains the new AMA policy calling on Congress to change the language and implementation of the current Medicare mandate that all advanced medical imaging needs certification.

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We can now diagnose Alzheimer's using only an MRI and an algorithm

Encouragingly, the MRI scans did not require the latest equipment advances and were conducted on a standard machine that is readily available at most hospitals—a 1.5 Tesla. 

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The benefits of preoperative prostate MRI are clear, so why isn't every man getting one?

Preoperative MRI use increased substantially from 2003 to 2016—from 2.9% to 28.2% to be exact—but the modality remained underutilized in certain regions and among specific populations in the United States.