Mri Primer

Designed for students, radiologists and clinicians at all levels of training, this text provides a basic introduction to the principles, physics and instrumentation of magnetic resonance imaging. The fundamental concepts that are essential for the optimal clinical use of MRI are explained. To facilitate the reader's comprehension, the material is presented nonmathematically, using no equations and a minimum of symbols and abbreviations. "MRI Primer" presents an account of the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance and the use of gradient magnetic fields to create clinically useful images of cross-sectional slices. Attention is given to the magnetization vector as a means of expressing nuclear behaviour, the role of T1 and T2 weighting in imaging, the use of contrast agents and the pulse sequences most often used in clinical practice, as well as to the relative capabilities and limitations of MRI and CT. The basic hardware components of an MRI scanner are described in detail. Sample MRI scans illustrate how MRI characterize tissue while an appendix provides a brief introduction to quantum processes in MRI.