The term WARP summarizes methods to minimize the impact of metal implants on MR image quality. This article introduces different techniques such as high bandwidth, VAT and SEMAC.
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MR Neurography is an excellent technique for visualization and evaluation of peripheral nerve disorders. In their article Philipp Bäumer et al. (Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany) show high resolution intra-neural fascicular detail in both normal and abnormal states and cover different aspects including clinical indications, protocols, pitfalls, and useful applications.
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Neurology is the largest field of application for MRI. In their article the authors give a comprehensive introduction to advanced techniques in neuroimaging. Learn more about fMRI, DTI, DWI, ASL, SWI and many other techniques that go beyond standard imaging.
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High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) Neurography is a novel imaging technique, which enables multiplanar imaging of peripheral nerves, as well as diagnosis and localization of entrapment and non-entrapment peripheral neuropathies related to etiologies, such as inflammation, tumor and trauma.
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MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is no longer just for brain applications. Whole body DWI is becoming a standard application in routine imaging. Whole body DWI has become as valuable as T2 contrast in tumor imaging and it allows characterization of tissue properties. This article provides responses to some of the more frequently asked questions including the background, application, and interpretation of whole body DWI and its calculated Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) images.
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MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is no longer just for brain applications. Whole body DWI is becoming a standard application in routine imaging. Whole body DWI has become as valuable as T2 contrast in tumor imaging and it allows characterization of tissue properties. This article provides responses to some of the more frequently asked questions including the background, application, and interpretation of whole body DWI and its calculated Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) images.
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Scans were acquired at 1.5 T with a typical diffusion weighted echoplanar (EPI) scan sequence (A), and also with a RESOLVE work-in-progress (WIP) scan sequence (B). RESOLVE is a multi-shot technique that uses 2D navigator correction with readout-segmented EPI (ISMRM 2004, p442). Axial scans of the brain in a normal volunteer, at the level of the petrous apices, are presented. The conventional single shot sequence was acquired (with complete coverage of the brain) in 0:54 min:sec. The RESOLVE (multishot) scan was acquired in 3:02 min:sec. A parallel imaging factor of 2 was used for the single shot acquisition, with no parallel imaging employed with the multishot acquisition. Partial Fourier was employed in (A), resulting in a shorter scan time but also some image blurring when compared to (B).
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The article shows that the addition of syngo TimCT functionality makes whole-body MR oncologic evaluation a viable reality. Extended, whole-body anatomic coverage is now possible without off-isocenter artifacts or signal loss. In-plane image quality with the TimCT application is maintained in comparison to conventional MR. Non-breathhold technique did not limit diagnostic quality in the presented patients. Skull-base to upper thigh coverage was achieved in standard imaging times of 30–40 minutes. With the addition of DWI to conventional sequences, functional-anatomic information correlation is possible through the whole-body field of view. TimCT has removed the barriers to whole-body MR evaluation.
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Due to a number of technical challenges, the use of DWI was initially confined to the brain with its low incidence of movement artifacts and the high homogeneity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of brain tissue. Physiological motion artifacts (e.g. motility of the bowel, cardiac pulsation, respiratory motions) and the heterogeneous composition of many extracranial organs had precluded the application of DWI in body imaging until a series of technologic advances such as the development of echo-planar imaging (EPI), high-gradient amplitudes, multichannel coils and parallel imaging techniques enabled the acquisition of high quality diffusion-weighted images of the body.
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To evaluate a modified Stejskal-Tanner diffusion gradient pulsing scheme that achieves a markedly shorter TE, by applying diffusion encoding during the entire time between the two requisite radiofrequency pulses, with respect to SNR, overall diagnostic image quality, bulk susceptibility artifact, and resulting spatial distortions (which were quantified).
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The clinical potential of combining information derived from MR and PET is evident and has resulted in the development of the world’s first whole-body molecular MR system. Thomas Beyer et al. (Tubingen University Hospital, Germany) describe in their article the history of combining PET with MRI, the rationale to do so, and the challenges that had to be overcome.
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SNR and Parallel Imaging Improvements Offered by a 32 Channel Head Coil Design
Advanced head coil design with 3 T imaging substantially improves the available signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), making possible a significant reduction in scan time, the use of advanced parallel imaging, high spatial resolution imaging (reduced voxel size in 3D acquisitions, whether for imaging of the brain itself or the vasculature) and implementation of innovative imaging techniques. The use of higher parallel imaging factors in conventional diffusion-weighted echoplanar imaging (EPI), together with the implementation of a fast spin echo (FSE) based BLADE diffusion-weighted scan is illustrated in patients with acute infarction (the latter free of bulk susceptibility artifact and geometric image distortion).
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Multiple myeloma is a malignant hematologic disorder characterized by the infiltration of neoplastic plasma cells into bone marrow. Detection of medullary involvement is best accomplished with the aid of MRI. Visualization of myeloma burden at baseline and during therapy is beneficial for improved patient management and accurate prognostic evaluation. Therefore, whole-body imaging protocols are mandatory, especially for assessment of myeloma infiltration in all bone marrow cavities (medullary involvement) as well as for diagnosis of extramedullary involvement.
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Early and accurate estimation of metastatic spread is essential for a patient-adapted, efficient therapy regime. In this context, whole-body and multi-step MRI have already helped to improve the diagnostic accuracy of staging examinations. As a further step, it is known that cancer is also often characterized by higher cellularity and therefore restriction of water diffusion. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with high b-values has therefore been applied to image metastases in order to help improve the diagnostic accuracy of MRI. The working-group of Schlemmer et al., Department of Radiology, University of Tuebingen, Germany, have compared the findings with results of 18F-FDG PET/CT exams.
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Neuroendocrine tumors may be challenging to diagnose. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) plays an important role in the accurate detection of liver lesions, which may be occult onconventional MRI and especially CT. In the presented case, the suspicion of diffuse hepatic spread is also supported by the additionally performed 68Ga-DOTATOC PET. The article shows, that DWI […]
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