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.

Medtronic just launched its MRI Care Pathway, a new system that can streamline the process of completing MRI scans for patients with Medtronic MRI compatible cardiac devices.

Medtronic streamlines MRI screening, scanning for patients with implanted cardiac devices

Medtronic launched its MRI Care Pathway, a new system that can streamline the process of completing MRI scans for patients with compatible cardiac devices.

April 4, 2023
An international panel of experts recently developed and validated a reporting assessment scoring system that analyzes the location and extent of prostate cancer recurrence. 

Radiologists outperform commercially available AI in PI-RADS scoring

The findings contradict prior research that utilized the same software, experts involved in the research noted. This could be due to out-of-distribution data for the DL software, which could impair its performance. 

March 24, 2023
MRI safety zone warning sign at entrance into an MRI imaging room at Northwestern Central DuPage Hospital.

Details emerge on yet another MRI accident

The accident happened on February 23, and it has since been revealed that it occurred at Kaiser Permanente’s Redwood City Medical Center facility.

March 23, 2023
Iodine contrast being loaded into a contrast injector in preparation for a cardiac CT scan at Duly Health and Care in Lisle, Illinois. The contrast shortage is causing some healthcare organizations to postpone exams and procedures and ration contrast supplies. Photo by Dave Fornell

How to manage patients in need of contrast-enhanced imaging following an allergic-like reaction

Up to one-third or more of patients who experience moderate or severe allergic-like reactions to ICM must have their imaging protocols revised when subsequent exams involving contrast are requested.

March 22, 2023
brain mri

COVID long haulers have enlarged brain stems

In comparison to a cohort of individuals who were unaffected by either condition, the differences in brain stem volume were found to be significant, according to a paper published recently in Frontiers in Neuroscience

March 20, 2023
diagnosing MS in children

Current multiple sclerosis diagnostic criteria are leaving children behind, new data show

A recent analysis published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders found that these criteria often exclude children who display suspicious findings on imaging.

March 16, 2023
MRI safety zone warning sign at entrance into an MRI imaging room at Northwestern Central DuPage Hospital.

The American College of Radiology is seeking input on new MRI safety guidelines

The most recent updates contain “substantial new content and safety recommendations," the ACR reported recently. 

March 14, 2023

New neural-redundancy metric accurately detects mild cognitive impairment

Redundant brain pathways can serve as pre-symptomatic indicators of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in aging individuals, allowing care teams to design first-line neuropsychological exercises for slowing the possible approach of Alzheimer’s disease.

March 10, 2023

Around the web

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

"I see, at least for the next decade, this being a SPECT and PET world, not one or the other," explained Tim Bateman, MD.

The FDA-approved technology developed by HeartFlow can predict a patient's long-term risk of target vessel failure as well as more invasive treatments performed inside a cath lab. 

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