MRI as a principal diagnostic and research tool

MRI is a versatile method and in addition to uses in diagnostic medicine, it is important to note that while MRI is best known as a medical tool, this technique has other useful scientific applications. As an example, geologists have used MRI to examine the composition of geological stmctures, and MRI has also been exploited in assessment of produce and timber quality. However, as noted earlier, MRI scanners cost millions to buy and thousands to run and maintain, so remain a luxury big-budget item. 

While Ti-weighted and r2-weighted images provide useful clinical information, sometimes it is important to employ more specialized image acquisition 

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) This technique is used to image the arteries and blood flow, and using computer reconstmction it is even possible to display blood vessels in 3D. Thus, MRA is useful for evaluation of abnormal 

Perfusion MRI In contrast to diffusion MRI that examines the movement of fluid through tissues, perfusion MRI determines blood flow on the basis of measures of blood volume. Perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) can determine cerebral tissue 

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) This technique is also referred to as magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRS ) or volume-selective NMR spectroscopy, which basically combines MRI with NMR spectroscopy. Thus MRS allows conventional MRI study of a body region, while NMR spectroscopy provides information on the biomolecules in that same region. This is a powerful tool, which can be used to provide spectral data on metabolites including lactate, choline, creatinine and myoinositol. 

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