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.

Updated templates help imaging center improve breast MRI report quality

Quality is now the name of the game in radiology, and according to a recent case study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, one way to increase the overall quality of patient care is standardizing templates to be used for all breast MRI reports. 

September 27, 2016

MRI during first trimester does not pose risk to mother, fetus

Contrary to some conventional concerns, MRI scans in the first trimester of pregnancy appear safe for both mothers and their fetuses, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. However, exposure to gadolinium of any kind, including in MRI, came with an increased risk of adverse effects to the child after birth. 

September 22, 2016

Friendly reminder: MRI is really cool

Radiologists already know this all too well: MRI is cool. You use the technology to give physicians a glimpse inside the human body without ever having to cut it open. 

September 22, 2016

Patients with pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators undergoing I.5-T MRI exams: Is it safe?

More than three million individuals in the U.S. live with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). But what happens when one of them need an MRI? Is it safe? 

September 21, 2016

Radiologist or mind reader? MRI spots emotions in human brain

OK, medical imaging hasn't reached a point where it can answer for you when the physician asks, "How are you feeling today?" But researchers at Duke University are able to spot emotions as they flicker across the brain using functional MRI, according to a new study release Sept. 21.

September 21, 2016

MRI key to distinguishing multiple sclerosis from its many mimics

There is no litmus test for multiple sclerosis (MS). Symptoms for the disease vary, and those that do appear can be nonspecific. Imaging can provide clues about individuals possibly suffering from MS, but a number of other disorders present similar MRI findings.

September 8, 2016

MRI scans show dogs can understand human—sort of

MRI scans are good for more than just understanding human brains. They can also help us understand the brains of our furry friends and how they might be similar or different to us. 

September 1, 2016

PET, MRI to help doctor monitor brains of pro fighters

Head trauma is big news in the sports world these days. Degenerative nerve damage from contact sports—most notably chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former pro football players—has pushed athlete safety to the forefront of many discussions.

August 23, 2016

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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