Advanced Magnetic Resonance Techniques: 3 T

Practical Guide to Evaluating Myocardial Disease by Cardiac MRI

OBJECTIVE. A spectrum of pathophysiologic mechanisms can lead to the development of myocardial disorders including ischemia, genetic abnormalities, and systemic disorders. Cardiac MRI identifies different myocardial disorders, provides prognostic information, and directs therapy. In comparison with other imaging modalities, cardiac MRI has the advantage of allowing both functional assessment and tissues characterization in a single examination without the use of ionizing radiation. Newer cardiac MRI techniques including mapping can provide additional information about myocardial disease that may not be detected using conventional techniques. Emerging techniques including MR spectroscopy and finger printing will likely change the way we understand the pathophysiology mechanisms of the wide array of myocardial disorders. CONCLUSION. Imaging of myocardial disorders encompasses a large variety of conditions including both ischemic and nonischemic diseases. Cardiac MRI sequences, such as balanced steady-state free precession and late gadolinium enhancement, play a critical role in establishing diagnosis, determining prognosis, and guiding therapeutic management. Additional sequences-including perfusion imaging, T2*, real-time cine, and T2-weighted sequences-should be performed in specific clinical scenarios. There is emerging evidence for the use of mapping in imaging of myocardial disease. Multiple other new techniques are currently being studied. These novel techniques will likely change the way myocardial disorders are understood and diagnosed in the near future.

Advanced imaging techniques in pediatric body MRI

While there are many challenges specific to pediatric abdomino-pelvic MRI, many recent advances are addressing these challenges. It is therefore essential for radiologists to be familiar with the latest advances in MR imaging. Laudable efforts have also recently been implemented in many centers to improve the overall experience of pediatric patients, including the use of dedicated radiology child life specialists, MRI video goggles, and improved MR suite environments. These efforts have allowed a larger number of children to be scanned while awake, with fewer studies being done under sedation or anesthesia; this has resulted in additional challenges from patient motion and difficulties with breath-holding and tolerating longer scan times. In this review, we highlight common challenges faced in imaging the pediatric abdomen and pelvis and discuss the application of the newest techniques to address these challenges. Additionally, we highlight the newest advances in quantified imaging techniques, specifically in MR liver iron quantification. The techniques described in this review are all commercially available and can be readily implemented.