MRI 232 - MR Procedures and Pathophysiology II

2. Recognition of the possible variability in protocols and positioning utilized for the liver, pancreas and ducts, kidneys, adrenal glands, abdominal aorta and associated arteries, pelvis, breast, and heart.

3. Recognition of application of contrast agents and proper doses.

4. State pathologies that commonly require an MR study.
Course Outline:
I. Describe MRI room and patient preparation for abdomen, pelvis, and special imaging techniques.

A. State the coils available for special procedure exams and their specific application.

B. Identify the ancillary equipment needed to complete routine abdomen and pelvis exams.

C. Discuss the ancillary equipment needed for sedated, critical care, and general anesthesia patients

D. Identify the ancillary equipment needed for cardiac imaging (ECG, gating controls).

E. Identify the ancillary equipment needed for fMRI.

F. Discuss the steps taken to prepare the MRI room for a special procedure exam.

G. Review the steps taken to clean the MRI room after a procedure.

II. Describe patient positioning for abdomen, pelvis, and special imaging exams.

A. State the positioning criteria for a routine chest, abdomen, and pelvis exam.

B. State the positioning criteria for a breast exam.

C. State the positioning criteria for cardiac imaging.

D. State the positioning criteria for fMRI.

E. Evaluate images for proper positioning to ensure all necessary anatomy is visualized.

F. Discuss imaging considerations that may affect patient position.

G. Discuss additional consideration for patient position (i.e. comfort level, body habitus).

III. Identify when intravenous contrast is indicated for abdomen, pelvis, and special imaging exams.

A. List the types of pathology that may require contrast. 

B. Differentiate between the different types of contrast and identify which should be used for routine abdomen and pelvis exams.

C. Discuss the type of contrast and dosage that should be used for entrograms.

D. Discuss the type of contrast and dosage that should be used for MRA exams.

E. Discuss the type of contrast and dosage that should be used for cardiac imaging.

F. Discuss the type of contrast and dosage that should be used for breast imaging.

IV. Describe the normal MR characteristics of various tissue structures within the abdomen and pelvis.

A. Discuss the normal MR characteristics of the components of the abdomen and pelvis.

B. Discuss the normal MR characteristics of the components of the breast.

C. Discuss the normal MR characteristics of the components of the chest and heart.

D. Describe the MR characteristics of blood as seen on arterial and venous magnetic resonance angiography.

E. Discuss the different types of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) procedures, when they are used, and the characteristics of the resultant images.

F. Discuss the principles of MR spectroscopy and perfusion.

G. Discuss the principles of fMRI.

V. Describe sequences used to optimize the visualization of pathologies.

A. Discuss the common pathologies found in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.

B. Describe and discuss the imaging planes and pulse sequence parameters that maximize the diagnostic value of the abdomen and pelvis.

C. Describe and discuss the imaging planes and pulse sequence parameters that maximize the diagnostic value of the chest, heart and breast.

D. Discus the various saturation techniques used in breast imaging to diagnose disease.

E. Discuss saturation pulses and their relationship to identifying abnormalities of the arteries and veins.

F. Identify the common vascular lesions found on MRA images

G. Identify the common indication and common pathologies of the abdomen, soft tissue pelvis (male and female), chest, heart, mediastinum, and breast exam.

H. Discuss the current and future development of in vivo spectroscopic diagnosis of disease processes.