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.

Older adults among the walking wounded with incident TBI

The demographic most at risk seems to be White women who are healthy, active and of high socioeconomic status.

light therapy improves brain connectivity after head trauma

Light therapy improves brain connectivity after head trauma, MRI study shows

In the study, patients who underwent light therapy showed improved connectivity between seven brain region pairs.

RSNA attendee tries out the new Philips 5300 MRI system video viewing system (projected on the wall behind the MRI and viewed using a mirror) to entertain patients during longer exams. The system is a "helium free" system. It has a seals cooling system so it only uses 7 liters of helium, as opposed to the usual 1,500 liters in conventional MRI systems.

Philips celebrates nearly 2M liters of liquid helium saved thanks to its helium-free MRI technology

The company made the announcement following the 1,111th installation of its BlueSeal 1.5T magnet, which took place at the Vida Imaging and Breast Center in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. 

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Simple intervention can reduce unnecessary inpatient MRI orders

At one academic center, reviewing a questionnaire related to body MRI orders resulted in many ordering providers doing an about-face regarding the necessity of their inpatient request.

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Machine learning helps experts identify ADHD biomarkers on MRI scans

Experts have identified numerous white matter features, in addition to changes in white matter tracts that occur over time, which they believe are more common among people with ADHD.

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.

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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