MAGNETIC RESONANCE

IMAGINGMRI

Victor AlvarezCynthia CrespoAngela Henao

Kevin Li

WHAT IS MRI? Magnetic resonance imaging or scanning

(also called an MRI) is a method of looking inside the body without using surgery, harmful dyes or x-rays. The MRI scanner uses magnetism and radio waves to produce clear pictures of the human anatomy.

http://inventors.about.com/od/mstartinventions/a/MRI.htm

ADVANTAGES Noninvasive imaging technique that does not involve exposure to

ionizing radiation. Has no known side effects on pregnancy Images the soft-tissue structures of the body—such as the heart, liver

and many other organs More likely to identify and characterize abnormalities and focal lesions

than other imaging methods. Has proven valuable in diagnosing a broad range of conditions,

including cancer, heart and vascular disease, and muscular and bone abnormalities.

The contrast material used in MRI exams is less likely to produce an allergic reaction than the iodine-based materials used for conventional x-rays and CT scanning. The most common type of contrast used is gadolinium

The entire body can be scanned, from head to toe and from the skin to the deepest recesses of the brain.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/magnetic_resonance_imaging_mrihttp://www.radiologyinfo.org

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

DISADVANTAGES Certain devices (for example: heart pacemakers, some implanted

pumps, nerve stimulators) can never go into the MRI machine, as they may malfunction or become damaged. Some brain aneurysm clips also cannot go into the scanner. 

Usually not recommended for acute trauma situations, because traction and life-support equipment cannot safely enter the scanner area and the exam can take quite a bit of time.

The scans can be degraded by motion such as breathing, heartbeat, and bowel activity.

It is a complex and costly procedure. Requires large, expensive, and complicated equipment, a highly

trained operator, and a doctor specializing in radiology. Obesity greatly interferes with the quality of MRI.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/magnetic_resonance_imaging_mrihttp://www.radiologyinfo.org

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

MEDICAL APPLICATION: CARDIAC MRI Heart muscle

damage after a heart attack

Birth defects of the heart

Heart tumors and growths

http://www.heart.org.in/diseases/images/mri.jpg

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003335.htm

MEDICAL APPLICATION: CRANIAL MRI Assess fluid flow Diagnose and

monitor abnormalities in the brain

http://www.k-state.edu/parasitology/upton-tumor-2e-(3-23-2006).jpg

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003335.htm

MEDICAL APPLICATION: CHEST MRI Use of He gas

polarized by rubidium atoms mixed with nitrogen

Dynamic imaging vs Static produces a noncontinuous image of the alveoli

http://focus.hms.harvard.edu/2003/May16_2003/research_briefs.html

MEDICAL APPLICATION: ABDOMINAL MRI

Abnormal growths and tumors Renal carcinoma

Blood flow and Vessels

Lymph nodes

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003335.htm

`http://www.cancernews.com/data/Article/505.asp

Assess the effectiveness of treatmentAblation

http://www.cancernews.com/data/Article/505.asp

MEDICAL APPLICATION: ABDOMINAL MRI

MEDICAL APPLICATION: SPINE MRI

Spinal fluid Nerve roots Disc Condition

http://spinespecialtyinstitute.com/spineinstitute/template.1.php3?page=Spinal%20Imaging

MEDICAL APPLICATION: SPINE MRI

Herniated Disc Spinal stenosis

http://spinespecialtyinstitute.com/spineinstitute/template.1.php3?page=Spinal%20Imaging

NON-MEDICAL USES OF MRI

Oil and Coal Analysis Solid Materials (Rocket Fuel) Agriculture/Forestry

http://www.emrf.org/EMRF%20FAQs/FAQs%20non-medical%20applications.htm

THE FIRST MRI MACHINE

• Invented by Raymond V. Damadian

• 1977 = whole-body MRI Scanner built

• 1980 = world’s first commercially available MRI scanner by FONAR

• 5 hrs for 1 image

• Superconductor magnet

• Field strength of 0.15 T

web.mit.edu/invent/iow/damadian.htmlinventors.about.com/od/mstartinventions/a/MRI.htm

PROGRESS OF MRI• Early 1980’s = Tubular resistive and

superconductive units were introduced to the market. Low field (0.15 - 0.5 T)

• 1984 = appearance of 1.5 T systems– Better quality images– Liquid Nitrogen refill every 2 weeks– Liquid Helium refill every month– Expensive

• Mid 1990’s = Low field, open-sided designs available– Great with anxious and claustrophobic

patients– Longer examination time– Poor image quality– Expensive

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aIrdb-tXNaa1YEdd1yHzjwhttp://www.dotmed.com/news/story/6794/

http://www.imagingeconomics.com/issues/articles/2004-12_02.asp

• Late 1990’s = Compact, high field systems began to appear– Shorter bore (reduced patient anxiety)– Advances in the cooling system (reduced

refills to once every 2-3 years)– Shorter examination time– Better image quality

• 2004 = 3T MRI system was introduced– Even shorter bore– Ultra high-field– Best image quality out there

• Presently: In research, magnets with strengths of 7 T or even 11 T and over are used

PROGRESS OF MRI

http://www.southwestmri.com/traditional_open_mri_%20vs_high_field_mri.htmhttp://www.imagingeconomics.com/issues/articles/2004-12_02.asphttp://www.imaios.com/en/e-Courses/e-MRI/MRI-instrumentation-and-safety/Magnets

FUTURE OF MRI• Technology in its infancy, and

therefore offers many promises for the future

• Development of small scanners

• Development of specialty magnets

• Higher field strength is in demand

• Faster patient processinghttp://anexplorers.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-adventgures-with-mri-machine.html

http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/mri11.htmhttp://www.imagingeconomics.com/issues/articles/2004-12_02.asp

COST OF MRI SCANS MRI cost can range between $400 to

$3,500 depending upon which MRI procedure is performed (example: brain MRI vs. shoulder MRI) and where you have the MRI test performed.

Cost of MRI scan varies depending upon several factors. These include: body part to be examined Need for contrast/dye injection whether MRI is to be performed at

hospital or outpatient imaging center

local competition in the region locality/region of the center

http://www.comparemricost.com

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/mri-scan-cost.html

COST For example, according to the BlueCross BlueShield of

North Carolina Health Care Cost Estimator, an MRI done in a doctor's office ranges from $1,100 to $1,485, while an MRI done in a hospital ranges from $1,458 to $2,090.

If a contrast solution is used, it can cost about $100 to $300 extra

http://www.costhelper.com/cost/health/mri.html

MRI MACHINE COST MRI equipment varies in cost, depending on the

strength of the scanner. Scanners with more strength produce more detailed images; therefore, these scanners cost more.

MRI machines can range in cost between $1 and $3 million. Construction of MRI suites can easily add another $500,000 to the total cost.

An extremity MRI machine alone costs $300,000 or more, and can only be used to scan hands, feet and knees.

Purchasing a used-extremity MRI scanner can cost as much as $150,000.

http://www.ehow.com/about_4731161_much-do-mri-machines-cost.html

AMOUNT OF MRI’S DONE IN U.S. There are approximately 26,000,000

MRI procedures performed each year in the U.S. making this one of the more common imaging technologies used to view inside the body.

http://www.comparemricost.com

QUESTIONS?