Chapter 6: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI magnetic resonance imaging

- Safe (non-ionising); non-invasive; high resolution
- High cost
Hydrogen nucleus is composed of a single proton (odd no. of protons and neutrons) and
hence it has a non-zero spin and possess a magnetic moment
- Hydrogen nuclei has the strongest magnetic moment
- High abundance in biological material
Apply a magnetic field Bo spin vectors of the spin up and spin down precess around the
magnetic field direction, known as Larmor Precession.
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Net magnetic moment in the direction of magnetic field

Move to the least possible energy state
Thermal vibration disrupts the normal equilibrium

Larmor frequency is the frequency of the precession and is given by FL = y Bo

1. Apply a static external magnetic field
o Nuclear spins will precess along or opposite the magnetic field
o Overall, more spins precess along the direction of Bo net magnetisation is
along Bo
o No net magnetisation in transverse direction as precessions are not
synchronised
2. Apply a Radiofrequency (RF) pulse at the Larmor frequency to induce nuclear
magnetic resonance
o Some spins in the direction of Bo will flip to precess opposite Bo. As a result,
equal number of spins are precessing either along or opposite Bo.
(Net longitudinal magnetisation is zero)
o Individual spins become synchronised with other spins and collectively spins
precess in phase. (Net transverse magnetisation increases from zero to a
certain value)
3. Switch off the RF pulse (Relaxation occurs)
o Net transverse magnetisation will decrease to zero (Synchronisation of
precession decays)
o Net horizontal magnetisation will increase from zero back to its original value
(Spins precessing opposite Bo will flip back to precess along Bo)
o Decrease of the transverse magnetisation + Increase in the longitudinal
magnetisation overall net magnetisation M rotates from transverse to
longitudinal
4. Measure the net magnetisation along the longitudinal and transverse directions
during decay by monitoring the induced signal in an RF detector in the two directions

The use of MRI is to measure the characteristics of these changes in magnetization along the
longitudinal and transverse directions during the decay of resonance.
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The decay characteristics are different for different tissue types.

At resonance, net transverse magnetisation and this induces a signal within an RF detector.
Switch off the RF pulse transverse magnetisation decrease and the emitted signal along
the transverse plane will grow weaker.
Relaxation is the process where the overall magnetisation vector M recovers to its
equilibrium state when the RF pulse is switched off.
T1 Relaxation
- Time taken for approximately 63% of the longitudinal magnetisation to be restored
- Nuclei must lose the excess energy to return back to the lowest energy state (spinup)
- Hence T1 depends on the how fast the excess energy is dissipated to the lattice,
which depends on local chemistry.
T2 Relaxation
- Time taken for approximately 63% decrease in the transverse component of
magnetisation
- Depends on 2 factors:
o How fast the nuclei spins return back to their spin up position
o How well the collection of nuclei maintain their coherence, hence the time
taken for precession decoherence
- Precessing in phase Coherent precession
- If nuclei were in random points in precession Decoherence
- Initial coherence become decoherent due to variations in the local magnetic field
which cause a change in the Larmour frequency which depends on local chemistry
T2 is always shorter than T1 (why?)
The best signal is obtained by choosing the signal which gives the best contrast.
Principles of MRI analyse the tissue type by measuring the T1 and T2 relaxation time after
switching off the RF pulse. Different tissues have different T1 and T2 relaxation time.
Volume selection to achieve the nuclear resonance in a small volume, additional coils
produce a much smaller magnetic fields and are superimposed to the main field. As a result,
a gradient field is created and the larmor frequency varies in different volumes.
MRI contrast agents used for more sensitive imaging in areas of similar tissue types.
Usually, the contrast agent is paramagnetic and it changes the localised magnetic field
which changes the T2 relaxation time for H nuclei.

E.g. of MRI contrast agents deoxyhemoglobin, Gadolinium (Gd)

Because of the contrast between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin, we can determine
the oxygen level in blood.
Advantages of using MRI contrast agents:
1. Illustrates imaging of arteries in the brain, therefore identifying blockage or leakages
to detect stroke patients
2. To image tumours or any problems in circulation due to atherosclerosis
MRI Applications:
1. Slipped disk (Herniated disk)
o Disks are protective shock-absorbing pad between the bones of the back.
o It occurs when the shock absorbing pad splits, causing the gel to escape into
surrounding tissue. This places a pressure on the spinal cord and cause pain
around the area
2. Breast Cancer
o MRI can be used to get a clear, high contrast image of tissue
o However, use mammogram first. If results are worrisome, then use MRI.
o Breast tumours have marginal differences in T1 and T2 relaxation time as
compared to surrounding tissue use Gd contrast enhancement!
3. Brain Cancer
o Only MRI can do extensive scan of the brain
o If brain tumour is suspected biopsy is done to look for cancer cells if
cancer cells found, remove as much tumour as possible during the same
surgery
4. Vascular dementia
o Vascular dementia is the progressive worsening of memory and other
cognitive functions caused by reduced blood flow in the brain
o Detected by MRI in two ways: (i) identified by changes in white matter tissue
and (ii) blood flow reduction
o Treatment approaches are aimed at preventing a reduction in blood
circulation by controlling major risk factors such as high blood pressure and
high cholesterol.
5. Functional MRI fMRI
o Images brain activity related to a specific task or sensory
o Increased neural activity more energy has to be delivered to neurons
more oxygen is used those regions local increase in deoxyhemoglobin
which is imaged by MRI
o Hence, we can identify which part of the brain is used for the specific task
o PET can also do this by imaging glucose uptake

MRI Safety
1. No evidence that MRI has any harmful side effects
2. Large static magnetic fields are not harmful
3. RF radiation are non-ionising as they have frequency lower than optical photons
4. However, main risks come from the huge magnetic fields which will affect (i) metal
implants within body and (ii) metal objects. (Mitigate risks by proper precautions!)
MRI Advantages
1. MRI systems do not se ioninsing radiaiti, low incidence of side effects
2. MRI can image in any plane, unlike CT
3. High resolution
MRI Disadvantages
1.
2.
3.
4.

People with pacemakers cannot be scanned

Tremendous amount of noise during a scan
Require patients to hold very still for extended period of time
MRI systems are very expensive