Lecture Three: Contrast MRI Flashcards
What are the types of contrast MRI?
BOLD
DWI
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
What does T1 and T2 weighted imaging show?
T1= CSF is dark, WM is bright T2= CSF is bright
T1 and T2 imaging delineates very well
What is Spin?
Quantum property that gives nuclie a magnetic field
What is DWI?
Diffusion Weighted Imaging;
- Tissue structure based on water movement
- Both anatomy and Physiology
What is important about WMT?
WMT are highly ordered (can cross over)
What is diffusion?
- Molecules are in constant thermal motion (brownian motion)
- Diffusion describes and migration over time
Describe DWI;
1) Bo magnetic field in the longitudinal plane aligns nuclie. Excitation stimulus introduces “wobble” (EVERYTHING IS ALIGNED ATM)
2) Gradient stimulus (+ive or -ive) is introduced (DEPHASING) this alters the spin rate for particles influenced by the gradient, there is a differential spinning rate now (PARTICLES ARE NOT ALIGNED)
3) Particles in the magnetic field are spinning at different rates
4) RE-PHASING, the opposite gradient to before is introduced and particles become re-aligned
5) signal produced (gradient echo)
How is a signal produced in DWI????
If particles have continued to diffuse then they will not be exposed to the magentic field strength (gradient) that is equal and opposite to that of the first gradient that was produced.
Therefore the sum of signal will be altered and indicate the diffusion and with integrated maths it can indicate diffusion over time and direction
What is DWI dependant on?
The signal produced is dependant on the amount of diffusion into the tissue
High signal = low diffusion
Signal loss is proportional to the rate of diffusion
Can measure diffusivity
Describe DWI and stroke?
Stroke = increased signal = poor diffusion as post ischemic event = loss of cellular transport mechanisms.
What does a low diffusion co-efficient mean?
- Spins dont move very far
- Experience small differences in magnetic environment
- little dephasing
- little signal loss
What does a high signal co-efficient mean?
- Spins explore a larger region of space
- Experience greater difference in magnetic field
- More dephasing and significant signal attenuation
What is anisotropic diffusion?
Anisotropic (Not uniform)
- Diffusion is not necessarily isotropic
- Signal attenuation changes for different diffusion gradients
(not the same in all directions)
What restricts diffusion?
Cell boundaries restrict diffusion across the fibres
- Observed in WMT and muscle fibres
Describe anisotropic diffusion;
Diffusion = ellipse (tensor)
- H ions diffuse along axons but not across WMT (Anisotropic diffusion is characteristic of WMT)
In Diffusion Tensor imaging we can measure diffusion and direction