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.

Kim Tzoumakas

Private equity backed radiology provider Rayus partners with AI startup to launch nationwide whole body MRI offering

Ezra charges $950 to $2,500 for exams of healthy individuals and analyzes them with its FDA-cleared software to diagnose cancer and other conditions.  

April 15, 2024
For almost nine years since the adoption of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) established the requirement for appropriate use criteria (AUC) to receive payment for advanced diagnostic imaging, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) has lobbying Congressional leaders change or repeal AUC mandate. Those efforts have paid off in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, where AUC program has been paused and all of its regulations were rescinded. Photo by Dave Fornell.

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

April 8, 2024
Auburn University SIemens 7T magnetom scanner

University charts a world’s first with clinical use of new $9M 7T MRI system

The Siemens Magnetom scanner utilizes dedicated radiofrequency sodium coils and parallel transmit technology—a “stark” difference from older models

March 26, 2024

Deep learning-based MRI reconstruction software produces considerable cost savings

Oulu University Hospital believes AI will allow it to deliver the same level of service with one fewer scanner, enabling annual savings of over $436,000.

March 21, 2024
Radiologist using the Philips Smart Quant 3D Neuro artificial intelligence (AI) software to perform our measurements for white matter, gray matter and other parameters on brain MRI.

PHOTO GALLERY of brain imaging

This is a clinical photo gallery of neuro imaging and what conditions can be can be visualized in brain scans, and various imaging techniques used.

March 18, 2024
Medical 3D printing expert Summer Decker, PhD, professor and vice chair for research and innovation, and director of 3D clinical applications, University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine and Tampa General Hospital, explains what is involved in creating a 3D printiung program in radiology and how it helps patient care.

Pitching the business case for 3D printing labs in radiology

Medical 3D printing expert Summer Decker, PhD, University of South Florida, explains how her lab has helped improve patient care. 

March 14, 2024
Prenuvo MRI Sollis Health

Whole-body MRI startup Prenuvo partners with concierge emergency care provider catering to the wealthy

Sollis Health operates private emergency rooms, allowing customers to bypass hospitals to receive around-the-clock care from physicians. 

March 13, 2024
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The 5-minute MRI: AI algorithm reduces scan times by 57% while maintaining image quality

The decrease in duration allows for more examinations in the same timeframe, enhances patient comfort and reduces the chance of image distortion. 

March 12, 2024

Around the web

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound. 

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

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