Speaker 1 (Ping Hou, PhD) – Brain MRI protocols
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a painless, noninvasive procedure that produces highly detailed images. Unlike X-rays or CT scans that use radiation to generate an image, MRI relies on hydrogen in the body to create images using a strong static magnetic field, RF waves, and spatially varying gradients. MRI brain scan can detect numerous diseases such as brain tumors and injuries, strokes, seizures, and developmental abnormalities as well as monitor treatment responses. Brain protocols share some common sequences which are tailored differently for unique diseases. This lecture will focus on the protocol of basic brain study, the physics of each pulse sequence, and image parameter optimizations. We will discuss several basic image artifacts and techniques to minimize them as well as introduce some new emerging techniques.
Learning Objectives:
1. To understand composition of common clinical MR brain protocols and their indications.
2. To understand pulse sequence selection, optimization and some basic artifacts.
3. To be able to implement some simple MR protocol for brain study.
Speaker 2 (Trevor J. Andrews, PhD) – Spine MRI protocols
MRI of spine is one of the most commonly clinical MRI studies. It is a powerful test for detecting anatomic abnormalities and assessing severity of pathology. This lecture will discuss several common indications for MRI of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. In addition several specific scanning techniques will be discussed as well as typical parameter choices which address these indications. Finally, we will address some of the key quality and safety issues physicists can address for MRI of the spine.
Learning Objectives:
1. To be able to list and discuss basic features of several common indications for spine MRI.
2. To be able to list and discuss the most common clinical MRI techniques used for the spine.
3. To be able to list and discuss the key image quality and MR safety issues for MRI of the spine.
Speaker 3 (Qing Yuan, PhD) – Prostate MRI protocols
Clinical prostate MRI protocols have evolved from robust anatomic T2-weighted (T2W) imaging to multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) with additional functional information from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging in the management of patients with confirmed or suspected prostate cancer. Prostate Imaging Reporting And Data System (PI-RADS) adopted by medical communities not only serves as a guideline for standardized interpretation and reporting of prostate mpMRI data, but also defines explicitly minimal acceptable imaging acquisition parameters for prostate MRI protocols. This lecture will provide details of implementation and optimization of pulse sequences for prostate mpMRI protocols, and discuss emerging techniques for MRI-guided in-bore prostate biopsy and therapeutic interventions.
Learning Objectives:
1. To understand the pulse sequences in common clinical prostate MRI protocols.
2. To be able to implement and optimize pulse sequences tailored for specific clinical indications.
3. To be familiar with emerging MR techniques in prostate MRI applications.