Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center have developed advanced MRI techniques that can detect subtle changes in joint cartilage microstructure, allowing for early diagnosis of osteoarthritis. These techniques enable physicians to shift the management of the disease from eventual joint reconstruction to long-term preservation.
Radiation dose optimization in head CT scans is crucial for reducing exposure and improving patient safety. Experts recommend using techniques such as lower tube current, automatic exposure control, and scanning at a lower tube voltage to minimize dose without compromising image quality.
Researchers at U of M Medical School used advanced MRI technology to develop a better approach to diagnosing epilepsy. The study revealed highly detailed images of brain tissue, allowing doctors to accurately locate scar tissue associated with the condition.
Researchers have used MRI to produce unprecedented videos of a tarantula's heart beating, revealing a distinct type of contraction known as 'double beating'. This breakthrough uses non-invasive techniques, providing greater insight into internal workings and paving the way for new applications in medicine and biology.
The study presents promising results for the clinical use of a new integrated PET/MRI system, which provides diagnostic information on soft tissues and physiological functions. The technology has been shown to be comparable in detecting cancerous tumors as conventional PET/CT methods.
A study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that patient age and facility imaging capacity significantly impact MRI use. Hospitals with limited access to scanning technologies had less frequent use of MRI scans.
Researchers used advanced imaging technique to detect blast-related injuries in US military personnel, finding abnormalities in brain white matter. These findings suggest fundamental differences between blast-related and civilian traumatic brain injuries.
A study published in Radiology found that restrictive gadolinium-based contrast agent guidelines effectively prevented nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) and its severe complications, including joint deformity and immobility. The guidelines require a blood test to estimate kidney function before administering the contrast agent.
A new technology fusion of MRI with real-time 3D ultrasound improves targeted biopsy accuracy for prostate cancer diagnosis. The system identifies suspicious areas in the prostate and provides a roadmap for biopsy needle guidance, increasing cancer detection rates by five times compared to conventional biopsies.
Researchers found that combining ultrasound with pre-operative MRI is a cost-effective strategy for evaluating rotator cuff tears. The study showed that this hybrid approach can be more cost-effective than using MRI alone, especially in populations with lower pre-test probabilities of rotator cuff tear.
A new study shows that susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a powerful tool for characterizing infarctions in patients earlier, directing more prompt treatment. SWI detected thromboemboli in 30 patients out of 35 with thromboembolic infarctions, improving the classification of cerebral infarctions.
A new study found that radiologists using MRI can correctly identify the primary site of cancer in 79% of cases, even when biopsy results are inconclusive. This improves patient outcomes by providing more accurate treatment options.
A study suggests that animal-assisted therapy can decrease patient anxiety in the pre-MRI setting, potentially reducing the need for anti-anxiety medications. The research, conducted at Monmouth Medical Center, involved 28 patients who interacted with a certified therapy dog before undergoing MRI scans.
A study found that a pelvic MRI scan can identify local recurrence in prostate cancer patients with rising or persistently elevated PSA levels. About one-third of these patients have a low PSA level of less than 1, making it possible to treat them with higher doses and potentially increasing cure rates.
Retired NHL players will undergo comprehensive cognitive testing, brain scanning, and blood sampling to identify risk factors associated with cognitive decline and dementia. The study aims to better understand the aging brain in professional athletes and the general population.
A University of Houston researcher is developing new class of contrasting agents by using iron nanostructures to provide color to MRI images. This will enable easier interpretation and identification of internal tissues. The technology also has potential applications in tracking stem cells and targeting cancer cells.
A new MRI study published in Radiology suggests that automated brain volume measurements can predict future memory decline in elderly people with normal cognitive ability. The study found high accuracy rates when considering multiple brain regions, including the temporal and parietal lobes.
A study published in Radiology used MRI to analyze brain atrophy and identify individuals with mild cognitive impairment at risk of progressing to Alzheimer's disease. The researchers found that patients with MCI had a one-year risk of conversion to AD ranging from three to 40 percent.
Professor Sylvain Martel's team at Polytechnique Montréal successfully guided microcarriers loaded with an anti-cancer drug to a targeted area in the liver, where it was administered. This breakthrough improves chemoembolization treatment for liver cancer by precisely targeting cancerous cells without harming surrounding tissue.
The revised McDonald Criteria simplify the diagnostic process by incorporating new data on MRI, speeding up diagnosis while maintaining accuracy. The updated criteria apply primarily to individuals with clinically isolated syndrome or symptoms consistent with a central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease.
Researchers have developed a software application that automatically detects subtle brain lesions in MRI scans of epilepsy patients, identifying 92% of previously undetectable abnormalities. This proof-of-concept study validates the potential of non-invasive, automated detection tools for diagnosing and planning epilepsy surgery.
A new study found that nearly 35% of orthopedic patient encounters in Pennsylvania were ordered for defensive purposes, resulting in $113,369 of total imaging charges. The study also revealed that surgeons are more likely to practice defensively if they have been in practice for over 15 years.
A new study found that MRI screening in women with a history of chest irradiation can detect invasive cancers missed on mammography. The addition of MRI to the screening process resulted in a 4.4% incremental cancer detection rate.
A WSU study found that performing magnetic resonance imaging sooner on younger stroke patients can lower the rate of misdiagnosis and lead to faster appropriate treatment. Patients under 35 years old are at greater risk of being misdiagnosed, but arrival via ambulance reduces this risk.
A study using MRI techniques found that over 80 patients with unclear-onset strokes could safely receive clot-busting therapy, resulting in 45% having a good clinical outcome and 29% an excellent one. However, female patients and those with severe initial assessments fared poorly with treatment.
American Stroke Association honors scientist John Hallenbeck with the Thomas Willis Award for his dedication to stroke research spanning four decades. The award also recognizes other researchers making significant contributions to clinical investigation and management of stroke.
A new study found that repeat MRI screenings for breast cancer result in fewer false-positive results, with a cancer detection rate nearly twice as high as baseline exams. This improved detection rate reassures high-risk patients about the effectiveness of annual MRI screening.
A new method using MRI T2*-weighted imaging is proposed for assessing iron overload in beta-thalassemic patients. The results indicate that serum ferritin levels are not reliable for estimating iron stores, making MRI a more accurate and non-invasive option.
Researchers at TU Delft are developing an objective, quantitative method to assess MRI scans for Crohn's disease activity. This new method aims to improve disease monitoring and reduce the need for colonoscopies, a stressful procedure.
Researchers used brain imaging techniques to analyze patterns of brain activity in the basal ganglia, predicting individual learning success in a complex task. The method showed powerful predictive power, connecting brain patterns to performance differences among participants.
A study found that preoperative Breast MRI detected occult cancer in nearly 1 in 8 patients, resulting in an added cancer yield of 12%. The use of preoperative Breast MRI is a relatively new indication for the test, with benefits seen in detecting otherwise hidden additional disease.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that babies over a year old process words with adult-like brain structures and meanings, challenging previous theories on infant language development. The study used MEG and MRI to map brain activity in infants and confirmed the same left frontotemporal areas activated in adults for word meaning.
A study found that Medicare payments for non-invasive medical imaging are higher to non-radiologists than to radiologists. This disparity has resulted from faster growth in fee-for-service payments to non-radiologists between 1998 and 2006.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins University highlights the problems with reviewing medical images from portable media. The research found three main issue areas: access, importability, and viewing problems. Noncompliance with DICOM standards is also a significant problem, which can delay patient care.
A study found that clinical decision support systems can lower imaging utilization rates for low back pain lumbar MRI, headache head MRI, and sinusitis sinus CT. These systems provide real-time feedback to providers, aiding in the elimination of unnecessary imaging and increasing patient safety and quality.
Researchers are developing a robotic system that combines real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a highly flexible robotic device to perform cardiothoracic surgeries on beating hearts. This minimally invasive approach aims to increase precision and reduce trauma, leading to faster recovery times.
A new study reveals that fighter pilots exhibit superior cognitive control, accuracy, and response to distracting information. Their brains also show distinct structural alterations in white matter connections, which may be linked to expertise in certain aspects of cognition.
A new technology uses metabolic imaging to rapidly assess prostate tumor presence and aggressiveness in real-time. The initial results validate preclinical research linking tumor metabolism speed to growth aggressiveness.
Researchers found that the brain uses different 'maps' to plan movements, depending on whether they are visually defined or performed in darkness. This discovery has important applications for robotics and developing machines to help paraplegics.
A study suggests that women with a personal history of breast cancer should consider annual MRI screening to detect cancers earlier. The research found higher cancer yields and lower false-positive rates in this group, supporting the consideration of MRI as an adjunct to mammography.
A recent study followed 44 ultra-marathon runners for two months to investigate the physical effects of long-distance running. The research found that runners experienced significant muscle loss in their legs, as well as substantial fat reduction, particularly in visceral fat, which is linked to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers are using magnetic resonance imaging to analyze the mixing of hot and cool air in jet turbines, aiming to optimize bypass design and reduce coolant usage. This technique could lead to significant energy savings and improved performance, potentially slashing development time from years to just hours.
A study by Rush University Medical Center researchers found structural brain changes in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Those who progressed to the disease showed thinning of cortical areas receiving input from a specific brain region.
Researchers at Rice University have developed gadonanotubes that can effectively track mesenchymal stem cells through magnetic resonance imaging, potentially improving disease diagnosis and treatment. The study found that GNTs are 40 times better than standard contrast agents in helping doctors spot signs of disease or damage.
A new study suggests that MRI can accurately predict the duration of a stroke within 90% accuracy, allowing more patients to be treated with clot-busting drug tPA. This could change the way stroke is managed in emergency settings, enabling all patients to receive urgent treatment regardless of symptom onset time.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet used MRI to measure brain lactic acid levels and found increased levels before other aging symptoms, suggesting a potential indicator of aging and age-related diseases. The study also suggests a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and lactate production in the brain as aging progresses.
Researchers tested three MRI contrast agents on different stem cell populations and found changes in stem cell proliferation depending on the agent used. The study revealed varying labeling efficiencies with each agent, but no significant alterations in cell phenotypes or differentiation.
A study by the American College of Radiology found that nearly all US community facilities performing breast MRI exams meet ACRIN and EUSOBI technical requirements. The Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium data revealed excellent adherence to equipment recommendations, with 94% of scanners using a dedicated breast coil.
A new study using positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) found that traumatic brain injuries lead to widespread decreases in brain functioning, particularly in the hippocampus. The research suggests a time window during which intervention could mitigate long-term neurological consequences.
Researchers can now study the mouse brain in unprecedented detail, thanks to a new atlas that provides a 3D reference point for genetics, toxicology, and drug discovery. The atlas features images with resolutions up to 21 microns, eliminating variability issues associated with conventional histology.
A new study from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada found that marathon runners who are not adequately prepared can experience heart damage due to inadequate aerobic fitness. The study used MRI measurements to determine who is at risk of cardiac injury, highlighting the importance of proper training and cardiovascular testing.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health used MRI to identify areas where the left and right hemispheres of the brains of people with autism do not properly communicate. The study found functional connectivity abnormalities in the entire brain, adding to the understanding of this disorder.
A new development in NMR/MRI technology enables scientists to image microscopic objects with high spatial and time resolutions, recording images up to one million times faster than conventional MRI experiments. This breakthrough paves the way for portable chemical and biomedical analysis.
The study found that the use of CT or MRI scans for injury-related conditions increased by 3 times between 1998 and 2007, despite no significant change in hospital admissions. The average length of stay increased by 126 minutes for visits with CT or MRI use.
Researchers used MRI to identify microbleeds and altered iron distribution in the brains of individuals with mild cognitive impairment. These biomarkers predicted disease progression with high accuracy, offering new hope for early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed two non-invasive testing methods to identify dissolved cocaine in wine or rum bottles using Raman spectroscopy and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These techniques allow customs officials to quickly detect cocaine without opening the bottle, potentially tracking the recipient without arousing suspicion.
A study has found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately assess the condition of certain stents used in children and young adults with congenital heart defects. Researchers discovered that specific MRI sequences can visualize the stents without radiation, making it a safer option for routine surveillance.
Research led by Dr. James White has developed a novel 3D imaging technique to visualize myocardial scar tissue and coronary blood vessels in a single image. This breakthrough may improve targeting of blood vessels for therapy in patients requiring pacemakers, bypass surgery or angioplasties.
The Human Connectome Project aims to create detailed maps of brain circuitry in healthy adults and those with psychiatric and neurologic illnesses. The project will use state-of-the-art imaging instruments and analysis tools to shed light on how brain networks are organized and how they change as we age.
A study suggests that staggered radiologist work shifts can expedite the communication of urgent findings and improve patient care. Radiologists were able to communicate urgent results two hours earlier than control groups, reducing mean elapsed times from image acquisition to result communication.