Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Brian S Worthington, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

Published online: April 2001

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0002339

Modern radiological methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are powerful tools in assisting the clinician to identify specific diseases as an essential prerequisite to appropriate treatment that can secure the best prognosis. They have advanced the goal of obtaining more diagnostic information whilst reducing risk and discomfort for the patient, and provide vital information on the extent and spread of disease, which guide the application of surgery and radiotherapy.

Keywords: clinical studies; functional brain studies; contrast agents; angiography; interventional procedures

Figure 1. Midline sagittal images of the lower abdomen and pelvis, showing a large ovarian tumour situated above the bladder. Note the change in signal returned by the fluid within the tumour and the urine in the bladder with different pulse sequences.
Figure 2. Transverse axial magnetic resonance scan of the brain following administration of intravenous contrast agent, showing a small enhancing tumour adjacent to the left side of the brainstem.
Figure 3. ‘Time of flight’ magnetic resonance angiogram, showing the major blood vessels that supply the brain.
Figure 4. Midline sagittal magnetic resonance scan of the lower spine, showing the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. Note the narrowing of the two lower discs and their backward protrusion into the spinal canal.
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 References
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 Further Reading
    book Edelman RR, Zlatkin RB and Hesselink JR (1996) Clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 2nd edn. Philadelphia: WB Saunders.
    book Stark DD and Bradley WG (1999) Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 3rd edn. St Louis: Mosby.

Related Sub-Topics:

General Neuroscience | Health Care
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Article Title: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
 
How to Cite close
Worthington, Brian S(Apr 2001) Magnetic Resonance Imaging. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0002339]