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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Radiologists, urologists both prefer PI-RADS v2 for prostate MRI reporting

Members of the Society of Abdominal Radiology and Society of Urologic Oncology prefer Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) for prostate MRI reporting, according to a new study published by the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Family’s $25K MRI prompts journalist to start database of ER bills

Annie Nilsson is used to medical bills. Her 3-year-old daughter, Elodie Fowler, has had just about every test one can get, all in the hopes of better treating the little girl’s rare genetic condition. But a recent MRI from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, California, led to a bill for $23,795.47—shocking a family plenty familiar with the costs associated with healthcare.

IMRIS Unveils New Brand and Comprehensive Consulting Services at 2017 Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting

BOSTON – IMRIS, the global leader in intraoperative imaging, unveiled its new corporate brand identity and its comprehensive consulting services approach during the 2017 Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Annual Meeting in booth #601.

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Radiologists, meet your EMR ‘reference librarian’

Sponsored by Change Healthcare

Jeffrey B. Mendel, MD, former Chair of Radiology and Chief of Radiology Informatics at, respectively, Tufts-affiliated St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston and Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, shares an anecdote.

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Neurologists prefer structured MRI reports when evaluating MS patients

Structured MRI reports of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are more helpful to neurologists and provide much more key information than nonstructured reports, according to a new study published by the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Acceleration-selective arterial spin labeling MR angiography tops TOF MR in visualization of distal cerebral arteries, collateral vessels

Acceleration-selective arterial spin-labeling MR angiography provides superior visualization of distal cerebral arteries and collateral vessels in patients with Moyamoya disease than is possible with time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, according to a new study.

Boston Scientific receives FDA approval for MRI labeling of Resonate defibrillators with HeartLogic

Boston Scientific received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s approval for MRI conditional labeling of its Resonate implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) systems with HeartLogic Heart Failure Diagnostic.

Abbott receives MR-conditional labeling approval for Ellipse ICD

Abbott Laboratories received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s approval for magnetic resonance (MR)-conditional labeling for its Ellipse implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD).

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.