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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Toddler suffers second degree burns from an MRI and no one knows why

The toddler was diagnosed with a contact burn and her parents are seeking answers.

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Vanderbilt scores $3.2M NIH grant to analyze MRI's role in improving epilepsy surgery

The five-year grant builds upon a growing body of research to better identify patients who would benefit from surgical interventions. 

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Scientists got mice high to study the 'munchies'

The brains of mice exposed to vaporized cannabis light up when anticipating food, new imaging research shows. 

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System that makes brain and spinal surgeries more precise cleared by FDA

With the help of a CT or MR image, the SmartFrame OR and its ClearPointer optical navigation wand together provide guidance for instrument placement during neurological procedures.

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FDA announces Class I recall of 150 MRI scanners due to risk of explosion

Just one explosion has been reported due to this issue, but the risk is considered severe enough to require a recall. 

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New radiology research may shed light on MLB’s record number of Tommy John surgeries

A retrospective analysis of elbow MRI exams shows young baseball players can develop lasting injuries.

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AI model with single-source dataset outperforms multi-institution version

Despite the results, researchers still recommend using models trained on multi-institutional datasets.

'Hackers' created a fully functional MRI machine in four days

The proof of concept is available online as 3D-printable files.

Around the web

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer. 

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