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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Obesity and Alzheimer's look similar on brain imaging, cause comparable neurodegeneration

New data suggest that both obesity and Alzheimer's can cause excess grey matter cortical thinning. 

January 31, 2023

Large VA trial could change how patients are screened for liver cancer

Researchers involved in the new study propose that abbreviated MRI protocols could offer more accurate assessments of liver lesions than ultrasound. 

January 30, 2023

New data on how pollution affects brain function is 'concerning'

“Air pollution is now recognized as the largest environmental threat to human health and we are increasingly seeing the impacts across all major organ systems," experts explained recently in Environmental Health.

January 24, 2023

Advanced PET/MRI protocols boost lung cancer detection

Experts involved in the new research indicate that PET/MRI could have an increasingly prevalent role in lung cancer staging and restaging.

January 24, 2023

Prenatal MRI reveals placental damage caused by COVID

In general, any COVID diagnosis raises risks of fetal harm during pregnancy, but fetuses of women who have been diagnosed with a pre-Omicron variant of the virus are most at risk of developmental impairment, according to new research.

January 23, 2023
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Gun goes off during MRI, injuring patient's son

A 40-year-old man was accompanying his mother to her MRI exam when the magnet caused his gun to fire, shooting him in the abdomen.

January 23, 2023
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MRI and mass spectrometry imaging to play key role in Alzheimer's research

By combining MSI results with whole-brain MRI exams, researchers are hoping to gain insight into the development of Alzheimer’s disease on a molecular level. 

January 19, 2023
Cheryl Petersilge, MD, MBA, with the department of regional radiology at the Cleveland Clinic, examined enterprise imaging—and how radiologists must integrate and collaborate with other departments. Her clinical perspective clinical perspective was published online in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

MRI uncovers clues that could help clinicians better understand schizophrenia

Thanks to functional MRI exams, experts recently gained new insight into mechanisms behind the “loosening of associations” commonly observed in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.

January 17, 2023

Around the web

Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.

Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans. 

"Gen AI can help tackle repetitive tasks and provide insights into massive datasets, saving valuable time," Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said Tuesday. 

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