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.

PET/MR scanner from United Imaging Healthcare gains FDA clearance

Shanghai, China-based United Imaging Healthcare (UIH) has received FDA approval for its new PET/MR scanner.

May 9, 2019
Cheryl Petersilge, MD, MBA, with the department of regional radiology at the Cleveland Clinic, examined enterprise imaging—and how radiologists must integrate and collaborate with other departments. Her clinical perspective clinical perspective was published online in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Researchers detail MRI’s role in identifying early-stage breast cancer

Short-interval follow-up MRI is an effective tool for identifying early-stage breast cancer, according to findings to be presented at the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) 2019 Annual Meeting in Honolulu.

May 8, 2019
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How cardiac MRI can help determine if women have heart disease

Researchers have determined that coronary artery wall thickness, as documented by cardiac MRI scans, is associated with heart disease in women. The team shared its findings in the debut issue of Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging.

April 26, 2019

4 steps to implementing abbreviated breast MRI screening into practice

The high sensitivity associated with breast MRI makes it an effective tool for detecting breast cancer, but the costs and long acquisition times have kept it from being embraced as a supplemental screening option.

April 22, 2019

EMR-based messaging tool helps patients connect with radiologists

Allowing patients to communicate directly with radiologists through an online portal helps them stay informed and feel more engaged, according to a case study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

April 15, 2019

Checklist helps providers know when patients need general anesthesia before MRI scans

Researchers have developed a new checklist to determine if general anesthesia (GA) is needed when children and young adults undergo MRI scans, sharing their findings in Clinical Radiology.

April 12, 2019

7T MRI scans can track lesion progression in MS patients

High-strength MRI scans can help providers track the development of cortical lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research published in Radiology.

April 9, 2019

Improved radiology reports, clinician education improve knee MRI utilization

Researchers have found that standardized radiology reports and clinician education can reduce unnecessary knee MRI utilization for patients with severe osteoarthritis (OA).

April 8, 2019

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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