MRI/MRS Flashcards
CT contrast is due to what?
attenuation of x-rays
-it is tissue density dependent
what does an MR image contrast refer to?
the relative signal intensities between different tissue types and pathologies – depends on physical properties of the tissue such as water and fat content, cellular structure and cell density
MRI gets signals from…
water and fat molecules
what is the MRI contrast very sensitive to?
very sensitive to changes in a large variety of the physical properties of tissue water and blood
what is T1 dependent on?
very dependent on the presence of paramagnetic ions, which reduce T1
Fe from blood breakdown products
Gd from contrast agents
also dependent on how mobile the water is in the tissue and T1 increases slightly with oedema
what is T2 relaxation very dependent on?
mobile the water is in the tissue
cell membrane integrity and cell size affects what?
diffusion of water
what does perfusion refer to?
blood flow, blood vessel density
what does a white matter map show?
diffusion anisotropy
-white bright areas are anisotropic, fluid travelling in different direction
define nuclear magnetism
The positive charge of a spinning proton produces a magnetic moment miu (u)
how is MR imaging formed?
The strong magnetic field creates magnetisation from the protons in water and fat in the tissue
The magnetisation can be manipulated by radiofrequency pulses to produce an MRI signal to create an image (from tissue).
Magnetic field gradients used to encode the signal in space so that the computer can generate an image
what are some safety issues associated with MRI?
Safety
No ferromagnetic objects in the exam room
- Scissors, stethoscopes, wheel chairs, gas cylinders
- Hearing aids, watches, spectacles, (dentures – image quality)
Contraindications
- Pacemakers
- Infusion pumps
- 1st trimester pregnancy
- Aneurysm clips (refer to manufacturers specifications
- Metallic foreign bodies (orbit x-ray, shrapnel)
in MRI, what does the intensity of the image depend on?
on water content, tissue structure, blood flow, perfusion, diffusion, paramagnetics etc
T1 and T2 relaxation times vary between what?
different tissues and pathology
what does the image signal intensity depend on and what does it provide?
The image signal intensity depends on T1 and T2 and provides contrast between tissue in an MR image