Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging machine

Micro-magnetic resonance imaging

Recently there have been several groups preparing developmental embryo atlases of several species, including human, based upon imaging of different age embryos. There have also been studies of adult anatomical structures and the placenta.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) began in 1977 and uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images either as individual slices or reconstructed to give three dimensional (3D) views of specific anatomical regions or structures.

MRI can be used in fetuses at 18 weeks gestational age or later and has been used mainly in brain and spinal diagnosis, and has also been used to investigate other abnormalities of pregnancy. (More? BrighamRAD Twin Gestation with Complete Hydatidiform Mole)

Links: Category:Magnetic Resonance Imaging

About MRI

A strong magnetic field (up to 1.5 to 4 Tesla) is generated in the machine through which the body is passed (the centre of the "donut ring" seen in the above image). The earth's natural magnetic field is about 0.5 Gauss compared to 15,000 Gauss (1.5 Tesla) in the MRI.

Some Recent Findings

Mouse

Mouse Mutants^[1]"Using individual 3D embryo MRI histology, we identified new pituitary phenotypes in Hesx1 mutant mice. Subsequently we use advanced computational techniques to produce a whole-body embryo atlas from 6 CD-1 embryos, creating an average image with a greatly enhanced anatomical detail, particularly in CNS structures."

Structure Images

Placenta

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of human placenta viewed from the fetal side.^[2]

Adult Inner Ear

The 3D reconstructed technique was used to acquire coronal and axial images of the adult inner ear. The coronal section reconstruction was chosen since it increases visibility of the turns of the cochlea.^[3]