Extended Keyword Definition-MRI

Li Wang

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

California State University, Fullerton

ENGL 360: Technical Writing

Dr. Bruce

Revised: December 6, 2020

 Extended Keyword Definition-Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging is widely used medical technique which uses magnetic field

to image the body structure and pathological process.

Since the X-ray is discovered in 1895, the diagnostic medical imaging technique,

especially radiography helped thousand of doctors fight against disease. Other than the

radiography, doctors and researchers seek for good imaging tool for nerve, heart, and muscle

disease. The magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, is the best solution for these

diseases.

History of MRI Technique

Nuclear magnetic resonance describes a phenomenon that nuclei can generate an

electromagnetic signal when it is in a strong magnetic field and been oscillated by a week

magnetic field. This is the foundation theory of magnetic resonance imaging. It was

demonstrated by Isido Rabi in 1938 and he received Nobel Prize in 1944 for his discovery

("Nuclear magnetic resonance", 2020).

Before this technique been applied to medical diagnostic field, it was been used by

chemist for a long time for analyzing the structure of molecule and proteins. The first whole-

body nuclear magnetic resonance scanner was developed in 1977 and got FDA approval in 1984

("Where Was The MRI Scan Invented", 2019). The early version MRI is quite different from the

most common seen models, but it already has the main magnet tube as the modern models

(Figure 1).
Figure 1

The first Whole-Body MR Image Machine - Dr. Damadian’s MRI Machine

After this technique been applied into medical usage, it lost its first word “nuclear” in a

short time. The reasons may include eliminate the public’s safety concerns on nuclear radiation

and separate the MRI with nuclear medicine ("When and why was MRI invented", 2019).

Construction and Principle

1. A typical MRI scan takes from 25 mins to 45 mins. The patient will lay down on the

patient table and sent into the scanner bore.

Figure 2

MRI Scanner Cutaway

2. The main component of the MRI scanner is the superconducting magnet surrounding

the human body. The superconducting magnet can provide a strong and even

magnetic field surrounds the patient. The gradient coils will apply an oscillating

magnetic field to the patient.

3. In response to the magnetic field oscillating, the nuclei in certain region of the patient

will resonance and generate an electromagnetic signal. This signal will be captured by

the radio frequency coil, also called receiving coil ("Magnetic resonance imaging",

2020). There are 3 different kind of signals. T1 signal is more sensitive to fat,

hemorrhage, and slowly flowing blood. T2 signal is more sensitive to tumor,

infarction, inflammation, and edema. The proton density signal is more sensitive to

joint disease and injury (Dale et al., 2015).

4. Finally, all the signals will be sent to a server computer. The computer will process

these 2D images as certain direction projections. Then it will reconstruct the 3D

multi-direction body structure by composing and coordinating all these projections.

Diagnostic Applications

MRI is the most powerful imaging diagnostic technique in neurological system

examination. It is most accurate and timely tools in diagnosing cerebral, cerebellum, and central

nervous system diseases. Another advance application of MRI is showing the brain reaction to

different stimulations.

MRI is an advanced tool in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and structure reconstruct.

MRI can generate an accurate, all direction 3D structure of blood vessels around heart (Figure 3).

MRI is also the most important diagnostic technique in soft tissue tumors and muscle

diseases.

Figure 3

MR Angiogram in Congenital Heart Disease

Comparison of CT Scan
 Computerized tomography scan (CT scan) is another widely used imaging diagnostic

technique. It is basically larger and complex X-ray machine. MRI and CT scan both have their

own advantages and special application fields.

Compared to CT scan, MRI has its own advantages and drawbacks. MRI does not have

harmful effects to patient. Meanwhile, patient is exposing to a small dose of X-ray during CT

scan and it may be harmful in the long-term look. MRI also generate clearer and more accurate

image in neurological system, cardiovascular system, muscle, soft tissue, and joint over CT scan.

The result of MRI is all direction 3D structure (Figure 3) compared to CT scan generates 2D

image (Figure 4). However, the patients with metal implant can not take MRI scan due to the

strong magnetic field. It is also slower than CT scan and not sensitive to bone and lung. Thus,

MRI is also not suitable for emergency (Stallard, 2019).

Figure 4

Chest CT Scan of a 28-year-old Man

 References

When and why was MRI invented. Gehealthcare.com. (2019, January 8). GE Healthcare.
Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://www.gehealthcare.com/feature-article/when-
and-why-was-mri-invented.
Where Was The MRI Scan Invented. (2019, September 6). MRI Lincoln Imaging. Retrieved
September 27, 2020, from http://mrilincolnimaging.com/where-was-the-mri-scan-
invented/#:~:text=It%20was%20in%201977%2F1978,done%20on%20a%20cancer%20pati
ent.
Dale, B., Brown, M., & Semelka, R. (2015). MRI (5th ed., pp. 30-36). John Wiley & Sons,
Incorporated.
Magnetic resonance imaging. (2020, September 27). In.wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_resonance_imaging#:~:text=Magnetic%20resonanc
e%20imaging%20(MRI)%20is,the%20organs%20in%20the%20body.
Nuclear magnetic resonance. (2020, September 27). In.wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_magnetic_resonance#:~:text=Nuclear%20magnetic%
20resonance%20(NMR)%20is,magnetic%20field%20at%20the%20nucleus.
Stallard, J. (2019, May 10). CT vs MRI: What’s the Difference? And How Do Doctors Choose
Which Imaging Method to Use?. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. from
https://www.mskcc.org/news/ct-vs-mri-what-s-difference-and-how-do-doctors-choose-
which-imaging-method-use.