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.

AI mammography, prostate imaging algorithms cleared for market

The FDA has OK’d two subsidiaries of Los Angeles-based RadNet to sell medical AI software—one product for diagnosing breast cancer, the other for streamlining MRI prostate reporting workflows. 

Researchers receive fresh $11M to continue cracking post-TBI epilepsy

Structural brain abnormalities detected by MRI are among the risk factors the funded researchers will identify as novel biomarkers.

#imagingequipment #cybersecurity #databreaches

Israel’s famously innovative healthcare system struggles to secure imaging devices

In some cases hospital staff kept no watch over outside-looking-in connections between manufacturers and scanners.

Implantable heart stimulator conditionally cleared for MRI

The FDA has OK’d the use of MR imaging for patients implanted with an autonomic heart-stimulation device as long as the device’s labeled guidelines are followed at the imaging site.

Thumbnail

How radiology should prepare for AUC clinical decision support reporting requirements

An overview for the coming January 2023 mandate to use clinical decision support for all advanced imaging orders.

sleeping child baby

3 indications auguring well for the future of pediatric PET/MRI

In pediatric care settings, hybrid PET/MR imaging combines “exquisite soft-tissue information obtained by MR imaging with functional information provided by PET.”

Portable MRI detects sports injuries near the point of play

Applied physicists have developed a portable MRI system that can screen young tennis players for wrist injuries in a minivan or suchlike passenger vehicle. 

Foot ultrasound bested foot MRI on pooled sensitivity while lagging on specificity

MRI beats ultrasound at grading common foot injury, but tables turn for up-or-down diagnostics

Injuries of the plantar plate—the cluster of ligaments underneath the four smaller “knuckles” of the toes—are better assessed with MRI than with ultrasound scans. 

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