MAGNETIC

RESONANCE
IMAGING
RAD-122
MRI OVERVIEW

• The use of magnetic fields

and radiowaves to obtain a
mathematically reconstructed
image
• Originally called: Nuclear
Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
MRI
OVERVIEW
MRI
INDICATIONS
• Neuroimaging
• Cardiovascular
• Musculoskeletal
• Liver and gastrointestinal
• Angiography
MRI
CONTRAINDICATION • Cardiac pacemaker
•  Aneurysm clips
•  Claustrophobia
•  Metallic fragments in the
eye
•  Cochlear implants
•  Internal drug infusion
pumps
•  Neurostimulators
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MRI
1930
Otto Stern- “ for his contribution to the
development of the molecular ray method
and his discovery of the magnetic moment
of the proton"

Isidor Rabi- “for his resonance method for recording the

magnetic properties of atomic nuclei"
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MRI
1940 Felix Bloch and Edward Purcell first
discovered the properties of magnetic
resonance

1952 Bloch and Purcell shared a Nobel Prize in Physics

"for their development of new methods for

nuclear magnetic precision measurements
and discoveries in connection therewith"
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MRI
1971

Raymond Damadian showed that the relaxation time of

water in a tumor differed from the relaxation time of
water in normal tissue
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MRI
JULY 02, 1977
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MRI
1973 Paul Lauterbur published the first cross-sectional image of objects (two water-
filled capillary tubes) obtained with MRI technique
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MRI
Peter Mansfield invented echo-planar imaging (EPI), the first
fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique.

Mansfield and his collaborator, Andrew Maudsley, further

refined this method into a line-scan technique, producing the
first image of a human body part, a finger, in 1977.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MRI
2003

In 2003 Lauterbur and Mansfield shared the Nobel

Prize in physiology and medicine “for their
discoveries concerning magnetic resonance
imaging
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MRI
RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES
Antenna – device used for transmitting or receiving radio waves.

Artifact – spurious findings in or distortion of an image

Attenuation – reduction in energy or amount of beam of radiation when it passes through tissue or
other substances

Coil – single or multiple loops of wire (or another electrical conductor such as tubing) designed to
produce a magnetic field from current flowing through the wire or to detect a changing magnetic field
by voltage induced in the wire.

Contrast – degree of difference between two substances in some parameter, with the parameter
varying depending on the technique used (e.g. attenuation in radiographic techniques or signal
strength in MRI)
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES

RF COILS
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES
Cryogenic – relating to extremely low temperature

Diffusion – spontaneous random motion of molecules in a medium; a natural and continuous process.

Echo planar imaging – fast pulse sequence that can be used to create MR images within a few
seconds.

Fat-suppressed images – images in which the fat tissue in the image is made to be lower, darker signal
intensity than the surrounding structure.

Free Induction Decay- signal emitted by tissue after RF excitation.

Frequency – number of times that a process repeats itself in a given period (e.g. the frequency of radio
waves is the number of complete waves per second)
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES
Fringe field – portion of the magnetic field extending away from the confines of the magnet that cannot be used for
imaging but can affect nearby equipment or personnel.

Gating – organizing data so that the information use to construct the image comes from the same point in the cycle of
repeating motion, such as a heart beat. The moving object is frozen at that phase of its motion, reducing image
blurring.

Gauss (G) – unit of magnetic filed strength (old unit)

Gradient echo – fast pulse sequence that is often used with 3D imaging to generate T2-weighted images

GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD

 A change in the intensity of a magnetic field in space
 Unit: mT/cm
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES
Gyromagnetic Ratio
• A constant, specific ratio for each nucleus
•  Half-life in MRI
•  Unit: MHz/T
•  Hydrogen: 43 MHz/T
• o Most abundant element in the body (60%)

Inversion recovery – standard pulse sequence available on most MRI imagers, usually used for T1-
weighted images. The name indicates that the direction of longitudinal magnetization is reversing
(inverted) before relaxation (recovery) occurs.

Larmor Frequency-
• The frequency at which a nucleus precesses in the magnetic field
• Unit: MHz
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES
Magnetic Moment
• A force created when magnetic dipole is in a magnetic field
• The inherent magnetism
• Unit: T

Magnetization
• The large-scale macroscopic magnetic moment resulting from many nuclear magnetic
moments

Net Magnetization
• Magnetic moments of individual hydrogen nuclei aligned in the external magnetic
field
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES

Magnetic Resonance (MR) – process by which certain nuclei, when placed in a magnetic field,
can absorb and release energy in the form of radio waves. This technique can be used for
chemical analysis or for the production of cross sectional images of body parts.

Nucleus – central portion of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons

Paramagnetic – referring to material that alter the magnetic field or nearby nuclei. Paramagnetic
substance are not themselves directly imaged by MRI but instead change of signal intensity of the
tissues where they localize, acting as MRI contrast agents. Paramagnetic agents shorten the T1
and T2 of the tissues they affect, actions that tend to have opposing effects on signal intensity.
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES

Perfusion – flow of blood through the vessels of an organ or anatomic structure: usually
refers to blood flow in the small vessels (e.g. capillary perfusion).

Permanent magnet – object that produces a magnetic field without requiring an external
electricity supply

Precession – rotation of an object around the direction of force acting on that object.
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES

Proton density – measure of proton (i.e. hydrogen, because its nucleus is single proton)
concentration (number of nuclei per given volume); one of the major determinants of MRI
signal strength in hydrogen imaging.

Pulse sequence – series of radio waves pulses designed to excite nuclei in such a way that
their energy release has varying contributions from proton density, T1 or T2 processes.

Radiofrequency (RF) pulse – a short burst of radio waves. If the radio waves are of
appropriate frequency, they can give energy to nuclei that are within a magnetic field by
the process of magnetic resonance. Length of the pulse determines amount of energy given
to the nuclei.
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES
Rapid Acquisition Recalled Echo – commonly known as Fast or Turbo, Spine Echo; a fast pulse
sequence used to create spin echo – like T2 weighted images rapidly.

Raw data – information obtained by radio reception of the MRI signals as stored by a computer. Specific
computer manipulation of these data is required to construct an image from them.

Relaxation – return of excited nuclei to their normal, unexcited state by the release of energy.

Relaxation time – measure of rate at which nuclei, after stimulation, release their extra energy

Resistive magnet – simple electromagnet in which electricity passing through coils of wire produces a
magnetic field
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES
Resonance – Transfer of vibrating energy from one system to another

Signal – in MRI, induction of current into a receiver coil by processing magnetization.

Slice – cross sectional image; can also refer to the thin section of the body from which data are required to produce the image.

Spectroscopy – science of analysing the components of an electromagnetic wave, usually after its interaction with some
substance (to obtain information about that substance).

SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE (SAR)

The power absorbed during RF irradiation
Unit: W/kg

SPIN DENSITY (SD)

Concentration of hydrogen nuclei in tissue
Principal determinants of MRI signal
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES

Spin Echo – standard MRI pulse sequence that can provide T1 weighted, T2 weighted or proton density weighted
images. The name indicates that a declining MRI signal is refocused to gain strength (similar to an echo) before it
is recorded as raw data

Spin-Lattice relaxation – release of energy by excited nuclei to their general environment, one of the major
determinants of MRI signal strength. T1 is a rate constant measuring spin-lattice relaxation.

Spin-Spin relaxation – release of energy by excited nuclei as a result of interaction among themselves; one of the
major determinants of MRI signal strength. T2 is a rate constant measuring spin-spin relaxation.

Superconductive magnet – material that has a greater effect with a magnetic field; it can dramatically decrease T2
of tissues, causing a total loss of signal by the absorbing structure.
 RELEVANT NOMENCLATURES

T1 – rate constant measuring spin-lattice relaxation

T2 – rate constant measuring spin-spin relaxation

Tesla (T) – unit of magnetic field strength; (SI unit) 1 tesla equals 10,000 gauss or 10 kilogauss (other
unit f magnetic field strength). The earth’s magnetic field approximates 0.5 gauss.

Transverse plane – plane that extends across the axis of the body from side to side, diving the body
part into upper and lower portions.
WEEK 4
 MRI VS CONVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHY

MRI CONVENTIONAL

• Provides sectional images • Provides “flat” image

• No superimposition of structures • Structures are superimposed
• Clearly demonstrates structures even • Contrast media is required to clearly
without contrast media distinguished one anatomic structure or
organ from one another
• Can resolved relatively small
• Limited in its ability to distinguish types
contrast differences among tissue of tissue
• Contrast depends on the interaction •  Cannot detect small attenuation
of matter with electromagnetic forces changes
• Can only distinguish air, fat, bone, soft
tissue, and metal
• Contrast depends on differences of x-ray
attenuation
 MRI VS CT
CT
MRI

• No ionizing radiation • Used of ionizing radiation for

imaging
• Can generally be considered safe in
pregnancy and in paediatric patients
• Not desirable for use in pregnant
patients
• Better suited for imaging the CNS,
soft tissues and in the evaluation of
• Better suited for the visualization
ligaments and tendons
of bones, lungs and in oncology
WEEK 5
NUCLEAR
PHYSICAL
PRINCIPLES
PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES
ATOMIC STRUCTURE
ATOMIC STRUCTURE
ATOMIC STRUCTURE
HYDROGEN
 MR ACTIVE ELEMENTS

MR ACTIVE NUCLEI
OERSTED'S LAW OF INDUCTION
FARADAY'S LAW OF INDUCTION
MOTION WITHIN THE
ATOM
MOTION WITHIN THE
ATOM
LAW OF ELECTROMAGNETISM
MAGNETIC MOMENT (J/T) MAGNETIC DIPOLE

A magnetic field characterized by its own North and South pole

The inherent magnetism
separated by a finite distance
 VECTOR

• Represents a certain force (by its size)

• Acts in a certain direction (direction of

the arrow
VECTOR

• Example:
• ◦9 protons up (parallel)
• ◦5 protons down (anti-parallel)
VECTOR
 VECTOR

A single vector, a single magnetic forces add up (longitudinal magnetization)

 VECTOR

A single vector, a single magnetic forces add up (longitudinal magnetization)

VECTOR

• This magnetic vector is the one that may

be used to get a signal

• Magnetization longitudinal to the external

MF cannot be measured directly

• We need magnetization transversal to

external MF
 NET MAGNETIZATION NET MAGNETIZATION
VECTOR

Magnetic moments of individual hydrogen nuclei aligned The net magnetism of the patient
in the external MF
NET MAGNETIZATION
VECTOR

Longitudinal
magnetization vector
parallel to the external
MF (cannot be measured)
 APPLICATION OF 90 RF PULSE

Transverse magnetization vector perpendicular to the external MF (can be

measured)
COORDINATE
SYSTEM

Z-axis runs in the direction of the MF

lines

Z-axis runs in the longitudinal axis of the

patient

XY-axis runs in the transverse axis of the

patient
 COORDINATE
SYSTEM

The z-axis of an MR imager is horizontal

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF MRI

THE PATIENT IS PLACED INSIDE THE MAGNET

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF MRI

RF PULSE IS SENT IN
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF MRI

RF PULSE IS TURNED OFF

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF MRI

THE PATIENT EMITS A SIGNAL

BASIC STEPS OF MRI
THE PATIENT IS PLACED INSIDE THE MAGNET

RF PULSE IS SENT IN

RF PULSE IS TURNED OFF

THE PATIENT EMITS A SIGNAL

BASIC STEPS OF MRI
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

EXTERNAL MAGNETIC
FIELD

• The main magnetic field

measured in tesla (T)
• Symbol: B0
• During magnetic field
exposure:
• Alignment and precession
occur
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

PR OTON ALIGNMENTS

• Normally, protons are aligned in a random

fashion

• No overall magnetic effect

• Random orientation causes all the spins to

cancel out (M=0)
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

PR OTON ALIGNMENTS B EFORE EXPOSUR E TO B 0

• Normally, protons are aligned in a random

fashion

• No overall magnetic effect

• Random orientation causes all the spins to

cancel out (M=0)
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

PR OTON ALIGNMENTS

• The protons align themselves

in the external MF
• Alignment and precession occur
MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
• Establishes Mz
• External MF(B0): the main magnetic
field measured in tesla(T)

DUR ING EXPOSUR E TO B 0

PRECESION
(WOBBLE)
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

DUR ING EXPOSUR E TO B 0

 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
A L IGNMENT

• The protons align themselves

in the external MF
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

A L IGNMENT
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

A L IGNMENT
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
PR E CESSION

• The wobble of the rotational

axis of a spinning body about a
stationary axis

• A secondary spin or spin wobble

• Describes a circular path or a

cone
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
PR E CESSION

• The speed at which hydrogen

precesses depends on the
strength of B0

• The larmor frequency of

hydrogen in a 1.5 Tesla
magnetic field is 63.86 MHz

• The precessional paths of the

individual hydrogen nucleus’ is
random, or “out of phase”
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
PR E C E SSION
FR E Q UENCY

• The speed at which the

magnetic moments wobble
about the external MF

• Not constant

• Determines how many times the

protons precess per second

• Depends of the strength of

external MF PROTONS PRECESS RANDOMLY
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
PR E CESSION
FR E QUENCY

• Stronger the magnetic field

•Faster precession rate
•Higher precession frequency

• Hydrogen precession frequency

•1.5 T at 63 MHz
•1.0 T at 42 MHz
•0.5 T at 21 MHz
•0.2 T at 8 MHz
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
L ARMOR
E Q UATION

• Used to calculate frequency or

speed of precession

• ωo = precession frequency (Hz

or MHz)

• ɣ = gyromagnetic ratio (MHz/T)

• Bo = External magnetic field

 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
G Y R O MAGNE TIC
RAT IO

• The precessional frequency of a

specific nucleus at 1 T
• Unit: MHz/T
• Symbol: ɣ

• 21.285 MHz at 0.5 T

• 42.57 MHz at 1 T
• 63.86 MHz at 1.5 T
MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

PHASE

Refers to the position of the

magnetic moments on their circular
precessional path
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

O U T OF PHASE

IN PHASE
MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

SE NDING A RADIOWAVE
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

R F PULSE

• Electromagnetic radiation just lower in

energy than infrared

• 10-100 MHz

• Purpose: to disturb the precessing

protons (only if Larmor frequency = RF
frequency)
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

R F PULSE
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

BEFORE RF WAVE IRRADIATIO N

(EQUILIBRIUM STATE)
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

DURING RF WAVE IRRADIATIO N

• Resonance occurs (only if Larmor frequency = RF

frequency)

• Nuclei will turn upside down or flip (NMV at 90o to Bo)

• Nuclei are energized or excited

• Nuclei precess in phase (phase coherence)

 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

DURING RF WAVE IRRADIATIO N

• Longitudinal magnetization
decreases.

• Transverse magnetization increases.

• Increase in the number of high

energy, spin down nuclei
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

ENERGY TRANSFER DURING

PHASE COHERENCE
EXCITATION
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

DURING RF WAVE IRRADIATIO N

• Energy absorption occurs

• Phase coherence occurs

• Only the magnetic moments of the nuclei

move

• A receiver coil is situated in the transverse

plane
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

SIGN AL IS BE ING MEASURED

 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
R E SONANCE

• Transfer of vibrating energy

from one system to another.

• An energy transition that

occurs when an object is
subjected to a frequency the
same as its own
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
R E SONANCE
FR E QUENCY

• The preferred frequency

• Depends on field strength of

MRI scanner

• 1.5 T at 63 MHz
• 1.0 T at 42 MHz
• 0.5 T at 21 MHz
• 0.2 T at 8 MHz
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

RF PULSE IS TURNED OFF

 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION

RF PULSE IS TURNED OFF

• Relaxation occurs
• Phase coherence fades
(dephasing)
• Transverse
magnetization vector
(Mxy) decays (FID)
• Signal is emitted
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
R E L AXATION

• Return of excited nuclei to their

normal, unexcited state
(equilibrium) by the release of
energy

• Relaxation time: time it takes for

return

• The most important factor in

tissue discrimination
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
R E L AXATION

• T1 Recovery:

• Nuclei flip and return to

alignment with Bo (out of plane)

• T2 Decay:

• Nuclei lose phase coherence or

dephase (out of phase)
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
R E L AXATION
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
T 1 R EL AXATION

• Longitudinal or spin-lattice
relaxation time

• The time when about 63% of

the original longitudinal
magnetization is recovered
(63%recovery)

• Occurs in the z-axis

 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
T 1 R EL AXATION

• The process of nuclei

releasing their energy to
general environment or
lattice(spin-lattice)

• Depends on:

• Surroundings
• Tissue composition
• Structure
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
T 2 R EL AXATION

• Transverse or spin-spin
relaxation time.

• The time when transversal

magnetization decayed to
63% of the original
value(63%decay)

• Occurs in the xy-axis

 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
T 2 R EL AXATION
 MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
FR E E INDUCTION
DECAY

• Loss of signal due to relaxation

• Occurs after a short period of

time the RF pulse is removed.

• The induced signal in the

receiver coil begins to decrease
MRI SIGNAL PRODUCTION
WEEK 6- PRELIM EXAM
THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING