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.

MRI may not be suitable for spontaneous deep ICH

Study challenges use of MRI in spontaneous deep intracerebral hemorrhage

Spontaneous ICH carries a heightened risk of mortality, making locating its origin in a timely manner critical to outcomes.

knee x-ray

Certain knee injections may cause osteoarthritis to progress more rapidly, new MRI data suggest

These new findings may lead to more “judicious use” of corticosteroids in pain management.  

Hospital for Special Surgery pediatric MRI

MSK team achieves 0% sedation rate for pediatric MRI

Almost 2,000 children underwent musculoskeletal MRI over an eight-year stretch at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and not a single one of them needed sedation to get through the exam.

John Simon, MD, CEO of SimonMed Imaging, said imaging had greatly advanced for noninvasive detection of disease and it may be time for imaging to play a greater role in annual physicals, and especially in executive physical exams.

Should more imaging be included in physicals?

John Simon, MD, CEO of SimonMed Imaging, says imaging has considerably advanced for noninvasive detection of disease and it may be time for it to play a greater role in annual physicals, especially in executive physical exams.
 

6-minute MRI can diagnose multiple sclerosis

6-minute MRI matches lumbar puncture's accuracy in diagnosing multiple sclerosis

The use of MRI and the “rule of 6” could significantly reduce the number of patients requiring lumbar punctures to diagnose the neurological condition.

New imaging recommendations included in updated TBI assessment criteria

Imaging will play a prominent role in a new framework recently developed to better diagnose the severity of brain injuries. 

John Simon, MD, CEO of SimonMed Imaging, one of the largest U.S. outpatient medical imaging providers and physician radiology practices, is a big advocate for whole-body MRI screening, but there are some radiologists who are against this type of screening. He offered a comprehensive look at whole-body screenings.

SimonMed Imaging CEO discusses why his radiology practice offers elective whole-body MRIs

John Simon, MD, is a big advocate for these elective exams, but the American College of Radiology and some members of the specialty oppose this practice. 

MRI death scene in Final Destination Bloodlines is technically impossible.

'Technically impossible' MRI death scene in new horror flick sparking irrational fears of routine imaging

After watching the scene, many movie fanatics took to social media platforms to express their newfound fears related to MRI scanners.