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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MR imaging-first prostate cancer screening program could prevent 1 in 6 deaths

London scientists built a predictive model to estimate number of lives saved and found promising results, they explained recently in JAMA. 

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Radiologist accused of misreading MRI—resulting in $18M settlement—says he met standard of care

Travis Clark, MD, and Seattle Radiologists described the patient's injuries as “unfortunate," but testimony from three imaging experts backed the accused clinician’s claims, attorneys said.

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Simple, readily available MRI measurement could reduce breast biopsies by one-third

The practice change takes three minutes, can be incorporated into standard short-MRI scans, and uses infrastructure that exists in most radiology practices. 

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$18M settlement after radiologist misses ‘clear' warning signs of stroke on MR imaging

A Seattle woman visited the local ED three times over a two-week period complaining of a headache and other symptoms, but one rad reportedly overlooked signs of hemorrhaging.  

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Radiologists must master cardiac CT, MRI to keep pace with demand: ‘The heart is not a magical organ’

Utilization of these two modalities has surged in recent years, yet only a small fraction of rads image the heart, an analysis of Medicare data found. 

FDA: Novel device protects athletes from traumatic brain injury, MR imaging shows

Q-Collar is a C-shaped, noninvasive device that goes around the neck, applying a compressive force to increase blood volume and reduce brain movement.

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Radiologists ‘highly encourage’ using structured reporting system for bladder cancer MRI

The Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) showed high diagnostic validity and reliability for predicting muscle invasion from the disease.

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Data cast doubt on controversial CMS reimbursement restriction for MR imaging

It was a few years ago that the agency kept in place roadblocks to limit such exams for patients with abandoned leads for their cardiac implantable devices.