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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3T MRI scanner from Siemens Healthineers gains FDA clearance

Siemens Healthineers announced Wednesday, Jan. 30, that its MAGNETOM Lumina 3T MRI scanner has received FDA clearance.

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Hospital employee arrested after filming female patient undress for MRI

A ward boy working at a hospital in Pune, India—roughly three hours southwest of Mumbai—was arrested and charged for filming a female patient changing her clothes for an MRI scan, according to a report published online Jan. 27 by The Times of India. 

MRI suite in Illinois focuses on patient comfort

OSF Centers for Health in Peoria, Illinois, offers a wide-bore MRI that is four inches larger than a conventional scanner and includes a “Caring Suite” that makes it popular among patients.

What happens when young patients undergo MRI scans without anesthesia?

Providing pediatric patients with MRI scans without anesthesia is an example of patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) in action, according to new research published in the Journal of Radiology Nursing. The authors found that this practice can lead to lower healthcare costs and shorter procedure times.

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Technologist wants to ease patient fears about MRI scans with LEGO bricks

Technologist Apollo Exconde has an idea that he thinks can help claustrophobic patients overcome their fear of MRI scans—and it involves some familiar toys.

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DICOM metadata provides valuable insight into MRI workflow

Hoping to make worthwhile MRI workflow improvements? Extracting DICOM metadata can provide more accurate, reliable information than RIS data alone, according to findings published in the Journal of Digital Imaging.

Lumbar spine MRI reports too complex for patients to understand

Lumbar spine MRI reports are too confusing for an average patient to read and understand, according to new findings published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Former mayor works for 15 years to bring MRI suite to hospital

Thanks to former mayor Trevor Marris, Ireland’s Louth County Hospital will get a new MRI suite 15 years after the idea was first proposed.

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Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

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.

Cardiovascular Business
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

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.

Cardiovascular Business
GE HealthCare moves PET/CT scanner production to United States

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