Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

By: Cortey, Philline Espineli, Shermane Lincod, Debbie Robles, Kristina

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Also known as MRI, MR, or NMR. is an imaging procedure with vast clinical potential offers detailed views of internal anatomy without ionizing radiation or invasion. very effective for viewing soft tissues & TMJ It is based on measurement of proton density. 70% of human body is water, protons is major

BASIC PRINCIPLES
The patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field & exposed to different frequency radiowaves, applied at 90 to the magnetic field 2. These radiowaves induce resonance in certain atoms, particularly hydrogen 3. The energy absorbed is emitted in the form of another radiowave signal 4. This signal is detected , fed into a computer, converted into a tomographic image
1.

BASIC PRINCIPLES
5. Tissues containing hydrogen atoms emit a high signal, while tissues containing a few emit a low signal 6. The time taken for the h atoms to relax and emit signal can be preselected (T1 & T2) 7. The relaxation times determine the relative densities. (e.g. T1- CSF appears black while T2- CSF appears white)

HOW IMAGE IS OBTAINED

Patient is placed in a large magnet

This magnetic field causes the nuclei of the atoms (H) to align with the magnetic field

The scanner directs a radiofrequency pulse into the patient causing some H to absorb energy (resonate)

When the RF pulse is turned off the stored energy is released from the body (detected as a signal in the scanner)

This signal is used to construct the

MRI

MRIs PROs and CONs

PROs
diagnoses lesions not revealed in CT Scan Useful in discriminating malignant tissue from normal tissue Used to study skull, chest abdomen, pelvis, and extremities

CONs
Causes malfunction of pacemaker Causes heating and torque of metallic implants Cost is immensely high

ADVANTAGES
Non-invasive uses non-ionizing radiation Makes high quality resolution in any imaging plane

DISADVANTAGES
High cost Long scan times Various metals may distort the image or move in the magnetic field, injuring the patient

SCAN TIME
TMJ: 45- 60 min. Soft tissues of the Neck: 25- 35 min.

Main Indications
Assessment of intracranial lesions involving posterior cranial fossa, the pituitary and the spinal cord Tumors staging- evaluation of the site, size and extent of tumors and tumor-like lesions involving
Salivary gland Pharynx Larynx

Contraindications
Pregnant women Claustrophobic (fear of enclosed spaces) Obese (the body might not fit inside the scanner) Diagnosed with a renal condition (due to medium contrast agents) Had a recent surgery on a blood vessel Patients with the following metal implanted in the body: defibrillator, cochlear, brain aneurysm clips, metal coils within the blood vessels

DIAGNOSTIC METHOD

MRI is useful in evaluating soft tissue conditions & diseases in the head & neck region.
Position and integrity of the disk in the TMJ Neoplasia involving the soft tissues such as tongue, cheek, salivary glands, and neck Determining malignant involvement of lymph nodes Determining perineural invasion by malignant neoplasia

MRI VS CT Scan
What is radiolucent on CT Scan will be RADIOPAQUE on MRI = high soft tissue density or strong signal
white area for soft tissue with many water molecules

What is radiopaque on CT Scan will be RADIOLUCENT on MRI = low soft tissue density or weak signal
black area for soft tissue with fewer water molecules

MRI = Frequency Agency; CT Scan = Xradiation

Common team: tomography, absence of film as the

Thank You!!