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.

Thumbnail

MRI catches CT in head-to-head lung imaging

When it comes to assessing patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, contrast-enhanced CT pulmonary angiography has no diagnostic edge over a certain free-breathing, unenhanced MRI perfusion protocol.

Thumbnail

Fatal accident calls MRI safety standards into question—are more regulations needed?

There are a number of well-intended recommendations for preventing MRI injuries, but many of them stop short of implementing safety requirements.

COVID in pregnant women manifests by variant in developing offspring: MRI study

Prenatal MRI is adept at revealing potentially damaging placental lesions affecting fetuses whose mothers were infected with COVID-19 while carrying.

Q4 and full-year 2022 results in for GE HealthCare

GE HealthCare has some favorable tailwinds at its back as it proceeds into its first year unattached to a certain venerable parent corporation. 

Deep learning slashes real-world MRI scan times

Accelerated MRI with AI image reconstruction nearly halved orthopedic scan times while maintaining or even improving image quality in a newly published prospective study. 

Thumbnail

Biological ‘brain age’ could help pave the way for more personalized medicine

AI-powered analysis can now assess cognitive decline by noting gaps in chronological versus biological “brain age.”

Regulatory nod granted to inhalable gas contrast for hyperpolarized lung MRI

The FDA has cleared Polarean Imaging’s xenon gas-based MRI contrast agent for evaluating pulmonary function in patients aged 12 years and up.

Cross-organ imaging illuminates the heart-brain-liver axis

A population-level study featuring multi-organ MRI has confirmed that problems in any of three major organs—the heart, brain or liver—tend to co-occur with unfavorable findings in either or both of the other two.

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 all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup