1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
FRCR Physics Lectures
Anna Beaumont
(Acknowledgments: Dr Gary Liney)

2. In The Beginning….
Sagittal image of the human head (from Alfidi et al. 1982)
…‘Nuclear’ dropped and becomes MRI
Within 5 years clinical standard images although still only University research.
Industry begins to get involved and MRI takes off.
“..we feel sure that in the very near future commercial machines capable of producing medical images for hospital use will be available.” P.Mansfield and P.G. Morris 1982

3. MRI Today
MRI is the imaging modality of choice in the brain and spinal cord
Soft-tissue contrast with large degree of manipulation, non-ionising radiation, multi-planar in any orientation.
Many more areas of use (eg breast, cardiac, whole-body scans).
Advanced techniques currently being developed for clinical practice...
Many advantages, biggest disadvantgae is cost.
This talk will concentrate on some of the newest areas in an ever increasing field

4. FRCR MRI Syllabus 4.16 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Nuclear spin angular momentum and nuclear magnetic moment
Bulk magnetisation and the effect of magnetic field strength
Precession in a magnetic field and the Larmor equation
Resonance with radiofrequency pulses
Relaxation mechanisms and relaxation times
Free induction decay signal

5. FRCR MRI Syllabus 4.17 Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Construction, function and operation of a superconducting MRI scanner
Permanent and resistive magnets
Radiofrequency receiver coils
Spin-echo pulse sequence
Spatial localisation of the signal
K-space, image acquisition and image reconstruction
Multi-echo, fast spin-echo and single shot techniques
Gradient echo imaging- basic spoiled and non-spoiled techniques

6. FRCR MRI Syllabus 4.17 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (cont)
Tissue suppression methods- short TI inversion recovery (STIR), fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and fat saturation
Standard gadolinium extracellular space contrast agents
Other MR contrast agents
Magnetic resonance angiography
Basic principles of diffusion techniques and diffusion weighted imaging
Dynamic contrast enhancement and perfusion imaging

7. FRCR MRI Syllabus 4.17 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (cont)
Principles of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)
Spatial misregistration, chemical shift, susceptibility, motion, flow and other artefacts
Cell biology principles underpinning dynamic contrast enhanced and diffusion weighted MRI

8. FRCR MRI Syllabus 4.18 Safety in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Static magnetic field- projectiles, induced voltage, implants
Fringe field and controlled area
Time-varying gradient fields- eddy currents, stimulation, implanted devices, acoustic noise
Radiofrequency fields- specific absorption rate, heating
Safety of patients, staff and members of the public
Pregnant patients
Shielding and imaging room design
Safety guidelines for Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment in clinical use

9. Further Reading…

10. Resources Blink Penelope Allisy Roberts, Jerry Williams
Hashemi, Bradley, Lisanti
Westbrook
McRobbie, Moore, Graves, Prince
Blink

11. Resources: Online www.onlinemri.co.uk http://mri-q.com RITI system

12. Programme of these lectures
Date
Covered
6/10/15
1: Basic Physics
17/11/15
6: Basic Pulse Sequences
13/10/15
2: Spatial Encoding
26/11/15
7: More Complex Techniques – Part I
20/10/15
3: Equipment & Safety
3/12/15
8: More Complex Techniques – Part II (incl. case studies presented by Dr David Salvage, Consultant Radiologist)
29/10/15
4: Scanner session
8/12/15
9: Artefacts
10/11/15
5: K Space & Imaging Parameters
10/12/15
10: Revision Questions