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 must master cardiac CT, MRI to keep pace with demand: ‘The heart is not a magical organ’

Utilization of these two modalities has surged in recent years, yet only a small fraction of rads image the heart, an analysis of Medicare data found. 

March 1, 2021
Concussion brain

FDA: Novel device protects athletes from traumatic brain injury, MR imaging shows

Q-Collar is a C-shaped, noninvasive device that goes around the neck, applying a compressive force to increase blood volume and reduce brain movement.

February 26, 2021

Radiologists ‘highly encourage’ using structured reporting system for bladder cancer MRI

The Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) showed high diagnostic validity and reliability for predicting muscle invasion from the disease.

February 22, 2021

Data cast doubt on controversial CMS reimbursement restriction for MR imaging

It was a few years ago that the agency kept in place roadblocks to limit such exams for patients with abandoned leads for their cardiac implantable devices. 

February 18, 2021

MRI could play central role in community-based screening for prostate cancer, experts say

"If successful, prostate MRI will be able to join mammography and LDCT of the thorax as an imaging screening test that saves lives," experts wrote in JAMA. 

February 12, 2021
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FDA clears artificial intelligence add-on for ‘world’s first’ portable MR imaging system

Hyperfine said its new deep-learning software can aid in measuring brain structure and pathology in images obtained by its Swoop product. 

January 15, 2021
Philips MRI

Patient visited hospital 13 times ‘begging’ for MRI that may have prevented his death

Sherwin Hall, 27, was reportedly told that scanners were reserved for “urgent interventions,” with radiology services slowed down due to the pandemic. 

December 23, 2020
Smart Choice MRI

Wisconsin imaging operator Smart Choice MRI goes out of business, closing handful of Midwest centers

The once-promising practice managed 16 or so locations across four markets at its height and had considered expanding to as many as 70, offering MR scans for a $600 flat fee.

November 25, 2020

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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