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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How custom worklists can lead to faster MRI interpretation times

Analytics-driven worklists can help entire groups of radiologists achieve faster MRI interpretation times, according to new research published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

February 27, 2019
glasses

Experience not an advantage when radiologists read prostate MRI

In a recently completed study at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, experienced radiologists were no more accurate than younger colleagues at diagnosing prostate cancer on multiparametric MRI.

February 27, 2019
Bore View

Simple solution emerges on arm MRI for obese, claustrophobic patients

Imagers challenged to complete arm MR scans for extremely claustrophobic or morbidly obese patients can do the job with a standard scanner, a wrist and elbow coil—and enough space behind the scanner for the patient to sit or stand alongside.

February 25, 2019
Quantitative imaging and lung cancer

AI IDs lung tumors from MRI scans better than other methods

A new AI algorithm developed by researchers at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, can identify lung tumors from MRI scans faster than other advanced methods.

February 22, 2019
Referral

Breast imaging referrers ordering more MRI scans following legislation

At an academic health system in Boston, referring physicians have been ordering more breast MRI scans since Massachusetts mandated that mammographers inform patients in writing of their breast density.

February 22, 2019

What resting-state fMRI tells us about how LSD affects the brain

Researchers have used resting-state fMRI data to show how LSD alters various connections within the brain, sharing their findings in PNAS.

February 13, 2019

MRI an effective first step for imaging young patients with suspected acute appendicitis

MRI provides value as an initial imaging technique for pediatric patients with suspected acute appendicitis, according to a new study published in Radiology.

February 13, 2019

Providers need consensus guidelines for follow-up imaging after benign MRI-guided breast biopsies

More consistent follow-up protocols after benign concordant MRI-guided percutaneous core needle biopsies (MR-PCNBs) could lead to better overall patient care, according to a case study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

February 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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