The Basics of Magnetic Resonance

Imaging (MRI)
Dr. Tanveer Ahmad
PhD.,
PostDoctorate (Nano Physics)
Department of Physics And Energy Sciences
KNU, South Korea / POSTECH/
AWKUM, Pakistan.
Comparison Between Various Imaging Techniques

Acronym for
Cost
Time taken for complete scan
Radiation exposure
Ability to change the imaging plane
without moving the patient
Effects on the body
Scope of application
Details of bony structures
Details of soft tissues
Principle
X-Rays
X-radiation or Rontgen radiation
X-Ray is relatively cheaper than MRI
(~70$ on average)
A few seconds
Exposure to dangerous ionizing
radiation.
Does not have this ability
The powerful rays have the ability to
create birth defects and diseases and can
also alter the DNA.
X-Ray is limited to examining a few body
conditions only. e.g., X-Rays are largely
used to examine broken bones. Can also
be used to detect diseased tissues.
Detailed images of bone structure on
photographic film as bones absorb x-
rays, and x-rays affect photographic film
in the same way as light
None - only bone and other dense tissue
can be seen
X-rays attenuated (blocked) by denser
tissue creates a shadow on the image.
CT Scan
Computed (Axial) Tomography
CT Scan costs range from $1,200 to $3,200;
they usually cost less than MRIs (about half
the price of MRI).
Usually completed within 5 minutes.
Actual scan time usually less than 30
seconds. Therefore, CT is less sensitive to
patient movement than MRI.
The effective radiation dose from CT
ranges from 2 to 10 mSv, which is about
the same as the average person receives
from background radiation in 3 to 5 years.
Usually, CT is not recommended for
pregnant women or children unless
absolutely necessary.
With capability of MDCT, isotropic imaging
is possible. After helical scan with
Multiplanar Reformation function, an
operator can construct any plane.
Despite being small, CT can pose the risk of
irradiation. Painless, noninvasive.
CT can outline bone inside the body very
accurately.
Provides good details about bony
structures
A major advantage of CT is that it is able to
image bone, soft tissue and blood vessels
all at the same time.
Uses X-rays for imaging
PET
Positron emission tomography
PET scans cost $3,000 to $6,000; much
higher than regular CT scans.
Usually takes 2 to 4 hours
Moderate to high radiation
In a PET scan the imaging technique
gets down to the cellular level of the
body, hence it can detect the early
onset of disease like cancer, before
they start showing up in CT scan. It is
also very useful in finding out how
effective the treatment is.
Radiation risk from the injection of a
radioactive tracer is about the same as
an X-ray
PET scans can image biological
processes within the body.
PET scans can image biological
processes within the body.
Radioactive tracers that emit positrons
are used. The positrons are tracked by
the system to generate a 3D image over
time.
Ultrasound MRI
Ultrasound Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ultrasound procedures cost $100- MRI costs range from $1200 to
$1,000. $4000 (with contrast); which is
usually more than CT scans and X-
rays, and most examining methods.
Ultrasound usually takes about 10-15 Scan typically runs for about 30
minutes. minutes.
No radiation None. MRI machines control/limit
energy deposition in patients.
Present MRI machines can produce images in
any plane. Plus, 3D isotropic imaging
also can also produce Multiplanar
Reformation.
The advantages of No biological hazards have been
ultrasonography far outweigh any reported with the use of the MRI.
risks associated with this technique.
However, several studies have
highlighted the harmful effects of
ultrasound on pregnant mammals
such as mice though this effect has
not yet been shown in humans. Also,
increased exposure to ultrasound
waves leads to heating up of tissues,
changes in pressure and other
mechanical disturbances.
Ultrasound are used for diagnostic MRI is more versatile than the X-Ray
applications such as visualizing and is used to examine a large
muscles, tendons, internal organs, to variety of medical conditions. Suited
determine its size, structures, any for Soft tissue evaluation, e.g.
lesions or other abnormalities. ligament and tendon injury, spinal
Obstetric sonography is used to cord injury, brain tumors etc.
visualize fetuses during pregnancy.
Other applications of ultrasound
include removing kidney and gall
stones, lipectomy and other
applications.
Ultrasounds are usually not used for Less detailed compared to X-ray
bony structures. Instead they are
used for internal organs of the body.
Detailed with advanced technology Much higher soft tissue detail as
compare to CT scan.
High Frequency sound waves Body tissues that contain hydrogen
(ultrasound) are used for imaging. atoms (e.g. in water) are made to
Ultrasound is sound with a frequency emit a radio signal which are
above the range audible to humans, detected by the scanner.
about 20 kHz. When ultrasound
waves are sent into the human body
some of them bounce back when
they hit tissues of differing density.
The time it takes the reflected
ultrasound waves to return to the
machine is translated into an image
of the internal organ, or of the fetus.
This image is called an sonogram.