Improving MRI contrast: Magnetization transfer

  • Antoine Micheau, MD , Denis Hoa, MD
    • Antoine Micheau, MD : IMAIOS, 2 All Charles R. Darwin, Island Hall 2 34170 Castelnau Le Lez
    • Denis Hoa, MD : IMAIOS, 2 All Charles R. Darwin, Island Hall 2 34170 Castelnau Le Lez
  • Wednesday, November 23, 2022
  • ISBN 978-1847537768

Learning objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  • Present the different fat signal suppression techniques
  • Describe the advantages and disadvantages of STIR sequences, fat saturation, selective excitation of water
  • Specify the different families of contrast agents
    • Explain their action on relaxation time and contrast
    • List their contraindications and main indications
  • Explain magnetization transfer and how it can improve background suppression

Key points

  • Off-resonance RF pulse in relation to the peak of water
  • Saturation of protons with restricted mobility (brain, muscle, liver)
  • Drop in signal due to exchanges between free and bound protons
  • Does not affect fluids (LCR, blood, urine) containing no bound protons

References

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  2. McRobbie. MRI from picture to proton. 2003:xi, 359 p.
  3. NessAiver. All you really need to know about MRI physics. 1997.
  4. Kastler. Comprendre l'IRM. 2006.
  5. de Kerviler, Leroy-Willig. Fat suppression techniques in MRI: an update. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. 1998;52(2):69-75.
  6. Gandhi, Brown. MR contrast agents for liver imaging: what, when, how. Radiographics. 2006 Nov-Dec;26(6):1621-36.
  7. Lin and Brown. MR contrast agents: Physical and pharmacologic basics. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2007 May;25(5):884-99.
  8. Sadowski, Bennett. Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: Risk Factors and Incidence Estimation. Radiology. 2007 Jan 31.
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