MRI in Practice continues to be the number one reference book and study guide for the registry review examination for MRI offered by the American Registry for Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This latest edition offers in-depth chapters covering all core areas, including: basic principles, image weighting and contrast, spin and gradient echo pulse sequences, spatial encoding, k-space, protocol optimization, artefacts, instrumentation, and MRI safety.* The leading MRI reference book and study guide.* Now with a greater focus on the physics behind MRI.* Offers, for the first time, equations and their explanations and scan tips.* Brand new chapters on MRI equipment, vascular imaging and safety.* Presented in full color, with additional illustrations and high-quality MRI images to aid understanding.* Includes refined, updated and expanded content throughout, along with more learning tips and practical applications.* Features a new glossary.MRI in Practice is an important text for radiographers, technologists, radiology residents, radiologists, and other students and professionals working within imaging, including medical physicists and nurses.

Preface to the Fifth Edition ixAcknowledgments xiList of Acronyms xiiiEquation symbols xviiAbout the Companion Website xixChapter 1 Basic principles 1Introduction 1Atomic structure 2Motion in the atom 2MR active nuclei 4The hydrogen nucleus 5Alignment 6Net magnetic vector (NMV) 8Precession and precessional (Larmor) frequency 10Precessional phase 13Resonance 13MR signal 18The free Induction decay(FDI) signal 20Pulse timing parameters 22Chapter 2 Image weighting and contrast 24Introduction 24Image contrast 25Relaxation 25T1 recovery 26T2 decay 27Contrast mechanisms 31Relaxation in different tissues 32T1 contrast 36T2 contrast 40Proton density contrast 41Weighting 42Other contrast mechanisms 51Chapter 3 Spin echo pulse sequences 58Introduction 58RF rephasing 59Conventional spin echo 65Fast or turbo spin echo FSE/TSE) 68Inversion recovery (IR) 78Short tau inversion recovery (STIR) 82Fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) 84Chapter 4 Gradient echo pulse sequences 89Introduction 89Variable flip angle 90Gradient rephasing 91Weighting in gradient echo pulse sequences 94Coherent or rewound gradient echo 106Incoherent or spoiled gradient echo 109Reverse-echo gradient echo 113Balanced gradient echo 119Fast gradient echo 122Echo planar imaging (EPI) 122Chapter 5 Spatial encoding 128Introduction 128Mechanism of gradients 129Gradient axes 134Slice-selection 135Frequency encoding 142Phase encoding 145Bringing it all together - pulse sequence timing 152Chapter 6 k-space 158Introduction 158Part 1 - what is k-space? 159Part 2 - how are data acquired and how are images created from this data? 165Part 3 -some important facts about k-space 184Part 4: how do pulse sequences fill k-space? 197Part 5: options that fill k-space 199Chapter 7 Protocol optimization 209Introduction 209Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) 210Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) 226Spatial resolution 232Scan time 237Trade-offs 238Protocol development and modification 238Chapter 8 Artefacts 242Introduction 242Phase mismapping 243Aliasing 253Chemical shift artefact 261Out-of-phase signal cancellation 265Magnetic susceptibility artefact 269Truncation artefact 272Cross-excitation/cross-talk 273Zipper artefact 275Shading artefact 276Moiré artefact 277Magic angle 279Equipment faults 280Flow artefacts 280Flow-dependent (non-contrast enhanced) angiography 298Black-blood imaging 303Phase contrast MRA 304Chapter 9 Instrumentation 311Introduction 311Magnetism 313Scanner configurations 315Magnet system 318Magnet shielding 326Shim system 328Gradient system 330RF system 337Patient transport system 343Computer system and graphic user interface 344Chapter 10 MRI safety 346Introduction (and disclaimer) 346Definitions used in MRI safety 347Psychological effects 350The spatially-varying static field 351Electromagnetic (radiofrequency) fields 357Time-Varying Gradient Magnetic Fields 363Cryogens 365Safety tips 367Additional resources 368Glossary 370Index 387