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.

Philips MRI

MRI detects 67% of lymph node metastases in patients with prostate cancer, research shows

The modality could be a noninvasive alternative to lymphadenectomy for the detection of cancer spread, experts explained in the European Journal of Radiology.

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Conventional radiography superior to MRI for certain spinal imaging, new research shows

Still, the best results are achieved when the two modalities are combined, according to a study published in Insights Into Imaging.

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Deep learning rivals fellowship-trained radiologists at segmenting breast cancers on MRI

Researchers trained their platforms on more than 60,000 individual breast scans, significantly more than most architectures.

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Machine learning uses MRI to predict lymphovascular invasion in breast cancer patients

These algorithms could fill in where postoperative biopsy sometimes falls short, experts explained in Academic Radiology.

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Advanced MRI technique significantly improves radiologists’ ability to image the pancreas

Rads preferred scans produced via this post-processing method in 96% of cases, experts reported in Clinical Imaging

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AI-MRI combo predicts dementia with 94% accuracy in patients with memory loss

The findings hold "considerable clinical significance" for patients with memory loss and could help guide early interventions for those who might go on to develop dementia, experts reported this week.

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MRI study brings scientists closer to diagnosing CTE in living patients

"This is very exciting because it brings us that much closer to detecting CTE in living people," explained lead author of the study, Michael Alosco, PhD.

Multi-slice knee MRI technique saves time without sacrificing quality

Radiologists should know that the more they use simultaneous multi-slice settings, the more likely artifacts are to appear.

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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