MEDICAL PROGRESS .1. MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an essential tool for the diagnosis of central nervous system disorders and is used increasingly for the evaluation of a variety of diseases in other organ systems. The interpretation of magnetic resonance images is complex. In this time of cost containment in medicine, its high cost necessitates extra care in selecting appropriate clinical indications. In this article we shall review the basic principles, major clinical applications, and cost-benefit considerations in this rapidly changing field as well as upcoming developments. Physical Principles MRI, or nuclear MRI, has its roots in the pioneering work of Bloch,… © 1993, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.