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.

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Jury convicts former imaging center chain CEO in $250M MRI bribe scheme

Sam Solakyan, 40, the former head of Vital Imaging Inc., faces a maximum sentence of 240 years in prison for his cross-referral scam. 

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Radiology could see surge in MR imaging volumes following approval of blockbuster Alzheimer’s treatment

One publicly traded imaging center operator saw its stock climb 21% in the days after the U.S. FDA's approval of Aduhelm. 

Cutting-edge MRI method reveals persistent COVID-19 lung damage missed by routine CT

Hyperpolarized xenon MRI enables sensitive, regional investigation of breathing and gas transfer into the blood stream, according to a new study in Radiology

Firm raises $80M toward rollout of whole-body scanner 10 times faster than traditional MRI

Q Bio recently ballooned its fundraising total with contributions from Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.

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Aetna the first national insurer to cover MR imaging-guided treatment for essential tremor

Focused ultrasound offers a one-time outpatient procedure to help relieve symptoms, but coverage gaps have presented barriers to its use. 

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Snoring in children could affect neurological development, brain MR imaging finds

The NIH-backed study is the largest of its kind, incorporating scans from more than 10,000 children, experts wrote in Nature Communications.

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Guerbet touts performance of new lower dose gadolinium contrast agent for MRI

A total of 560 patients were included in the Phase 3 clinical study of Gadopiclenol, and the firm hopes to seek U.S. regulatory approval in the near future. 

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Hospital cuts costs and outpatient MRI wait times using sophisticated mathematical models

Dartmouth Engineering and Lahey Hospital believe this is the first study to explore optimal outpatient exam scheduling using flexibilities seen on the inpatient side. 

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.

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