Magnetic

Resonance Imaging
BY- SREERAG KAPPARATH AND
PRIYANKA BHOWMIK
What is MRI ?
 MRI is a radiology technique that produces tomographic images by means of
magnetic fields and radio waves, analysing multiple tissue characteristic.
 Based on the principle of NMR.
 The soft tissue contrast provided by MRI is substantially better than for any other
imaging modality.
History of MRI
  Felix Bloch and Edward Purcell independently discovered the magnetic resonance
phenomena during year 1946 and were later awarded the Nobel Prize in 1952.
 In 1971 Raymond Damadian showed that nuclear magnetic relaxation times of
tissues and tumors differed, motivating scientists to use MRI to study disease.
 In 1997 first MRI examination was performed in humans.
 It took 5 hours to produce one image.
How MRI works ?

 MRI uses magnetic spin property of protons(hydrogen) in our body, radio waves
and computer to elicit images.
 MRI is based on the ability of a small number of protons within the body to
absorb and emit radio wave energy when the body is placed within a strong
magnetic field.
 Uses radiofrequency pulses/coils to align protons at right angle(90) or at 180
degree.
 Differences in the density of protons available to contribute to MRI signal
discriminate one tissue from another.
Types

 Open MRI
 Standard MRI / closed MRI
 Short-borne MRI
 Upright MRI
Uses of MRI

 Head and neck - MRI can be used to detect brain tumors, traumatic brain
injury, developmental anomalies, multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia,
infection, and the causes of headache.
 Arteries and veins - MRI can detect aneurysms, blockages of the blood
vessels, carotid artery disease, and arteriovenous malformations.
 Spine - MRI is sensitive to changes in cartilage and bone structure resulting from
injury, disease, or aging. It can detect herniated discs, pinched nerves, spinal tumors,
spinal cord compression, and fractures.
 Gastrointestinal condition monitoring.
 Musculoskeletal problems.
 Pelvic problems.
Contraindications

 Pregnancy or nursing women.

 Cardiac pacemakers.
 Cochlear implants.
 Certain clips on head from brain surgery.
 Had surgery in last 8 weeks.
 Insulin pumps.
 Bone growth stimulators.
 Neuro stimulators.
Contrast

 Gadolinium
 Gadolinium is important in providing high-quality MRI angiographic studies by
enhancing the signal differences between blood vessels and surrounding tissues.
Major MRI sequences

 T 1 weighted image
 T 2 weighted image
 FLAIR ( fluid attenuation inversion recovery)
 GRE (gradient echo) / SWI/T2*
 DWI (diffusion weighted imaging)
T 1 weighted image
 Recognition
 fat is bright
 water is dark
 new blood is bright

 Useful for
 anatomical detail
 vascular changes + contrast
 disruption of BBB + C
T2W

 Recognition
 fat is dark
 water is bright
 flow is dark (blood vessels)

 Useful for
 anatomical detail (CFS spaces)
 most lesions
 cannot distinguish lesions from CSF
FLAIR

 Recognition
 T2 +free flowing water (CFS) is dark
 non free flowing water is bright
 fat is dark

 Useful for
 same as T2
 delineation of lesions near ventricles
 Edema
 can improve grey-white differentiation
GRE

 Recognition
 paramagnetic substances are dark
 -blood
 -calcium
 -other metals

 Useful for
 early hemorrhage
 old hemorrhage
DWI

 Recognition
 fluid restricted is bright(cytotoxic edema)
 must correlate with ADC
 Fluid restricted is dark
 rule out “T2 shine through”

 Useful for
 ischemia
 abscess
 seizures
Advantages of MRI

 Ability to provide images in any anatomic plane.

 Absence of ionising radiation.
 Outstanding soft-tissue contrast resolution.
Disadvantages of MRI

 Limited spatial resolution compared with CT

 Limited availability in some geographic areas
 Expensive.
 Claus trophic
 Cannot be done on a patient who has metallic implant.
THANK YOU!!!