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.

time-delayed MRI phases improve brain tumor visualization

Using multiple MRI phases after contrast injection significantly improves visualization of brain tumors

Researchers are proposing making additional phases beyond the 10-minute mark mandatory when analyzing brain metastases.

depression and alcohol lead to impairment in functional connectivity of the brain

Combined, alcohol dependence and depression cause 'severe and extensive' brain connectivity impairment

Alcohol dependence and depression are known to affect the functional connectivity of the brain, but when the two co-occur, connectivity between certain regions is significantly worse, new MRI study shows.

medical imaging carbon emissions climate change

PET is an energy hog, but relatively rare utilization lessens its carbon footprint. MRI and CT have no such ‘out’

Medical imaging machinery uses a lot of power, and the extent to which it quickens the pace of global warming is becoming clearer.

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One adverse reaction to a GBCA significantly increases risk of another in the future

The type of gadolinium-based agent administered could also increase the risk of reaction, a new study suggests.

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Even two years after recovery, damage to multiple regions of the brain persists in COVID patients

On imaging some former COVID patients show significant alterations in several parts of the brain related to emotional regulation.

GE Health and MedStar Health are collaborating with the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and the Next Gen Basketball Players Union (NBGPU)

NBA partners with GE HealthCare, MedStar Health to gain imaging insights into elite athletes' health

The goal of the study is to obtain quantitative data on how daily training and competing affect players’ musculoskeletal health. The information will be used to inform training, rest and recovery periods. 

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New low-field MRI small enough to plug into a standard wall outlet saves money without sacrificing safety

And with the help of deep learning techniques, it provides diagnostic quality imaging.

How beneficial is MR-directed breast ultrasound in reducing biopsies?

A team of experts determined that correlating masses initially detected on MRI are significantly more likely to result in a cancer diagnosis than other common findings. 

Around the web

The newly approved PET radiotracer is expected to improve patient care significantly. “We have been able to reach the pinnacle of myocardial perfusion imaging with flurpiridaz," one expert said.

GE HealthCare's flurpiridaz, the PET radiotracer that recently received FDA approval, offers several key benefits over SPECT. Jamshid Maddahi, MD, discussed the details in an exclusive interview. 

Ultrafast MCE could go on to become a go-to treatment option for obstructive coronary artery disease, according to the authors of a new first-in-human clinical study.

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