MRI Flashcards
the patient is asked to perform certain activities to help the neurosurgeons map the functional areas of the brain before surgery takes place.
fMRI
types of MRI exams
fMRI
Breast Scans
MRA
MRV
s a non-invasive technique that is used to examine our patients at high risk for breast cancer. Breast MRI can catch areas of concern earlier and in ways not possible with other breast imaging techniques, giving our experts the ability to best diagnosis and treat breast cancers.
Breast Scans
is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of magnetic resonance technology (MRI) and intravenous (IV) contrast dye to visualize blood vessels. An MRA is often used to examine the heart and other soft tissues and to assess blood flow.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of a large magnet, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. An MRV uses magnetic resonance technology and intravenous (IV) contrast dye to visualize the veins.
Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV)
is measured frequently by calculating the difference in signal intensity between the area of interest and the background (usually chosen from the air surrounding the object).
signal-to-noise ratio
Used to describe the relative contributions to a detected signal of the true signal and random superimposed noise
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
is proportional to the volume of the voxel and to the square root of the number of averages and phase steps (assuming constant-sized voxels).
Signal-to-noise ratio
On MRI, the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved by:
volume acquisition as compared to 2D imaging, but imaging time is increased
spin-echo sequences as compared to gradient echo
decreasing the noise by reducing the bandwidth, using surface coils, and increasing the number of excitations
increasing the signal by decreasing the TE (time to echo) and increasing the TR (time to repeat), slice thickness, or field of view
Additionally, SNR can be improved by tweaking scan parameters. Assuming all other factors remain the same, SNR can be improved by:
increasing the field of view (FOV)
decreasing the matrix size
increasing the slice thickness
is energy delivered to the spins via excitation.
Relaxation Time
The NMV in the transverse plane decreases due to:
relaxation processes;
field in homogeneities and susceptibility effects.
The amplitude of the voltage induced in the receiver coil therefore gradually decreases. This is called
free induction decay or FID
The magnetization in each tissue relaxes at different rates. This is one of the factors that create image contrast.
Relaxation processes
Spins emit energy absorbed from the RF pulse through a process known as
spin lattice energy transfer