MA05 - Introduction to Biomedical Imaging II (Non-Ionizing Radiation)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Understanding the fundamental principles of non-ionizing radiation imaging.
2. Familiarization with the principles of Magnetic Resonance (MR).
3. Acquiring basic knowledge of image formation using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
4. Becoming proficient in advanced MRI imaging techniques.
5. Understanding the diagnostic and prognostic value of imaging biomarkers.
6. Recognizing the limitations of magnetic field usage and MRI safety regulations.

COURSE CONTENT

Fundamental Principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

• Physical principles of MRI imagingDefinition of magnetic resonance, magnetization, relaxation times (T1 and T2), echo time (TE), repetition time (TR).
  Spin Echo (SE) imaging, brightness contrast, T1-weighted (T1w) and T2-weighted (T2w) contrast, proton density (PD) imaging.
  Gradient Echo (GE), T2, imaging techniques, gradient fields, image formation, pulse sequences, silent pulse sequences, k-space, 2D and 3D imaging*.
  Fat Saturation (chemical saturation pulses), respiratory motion synchronization using SE techniques, cardiac function synchronization using SE techniques.
  Factors affecting image contrast in MRI: Endogenous tissue properties influencing signal intensity and contrast, system parameters, pulse sequence diagrams.
  Free induction decay (FID), field inhomogeneities, T2 effects, contrast agents in MRI, contrast-enhanced magnetic angiography, Echo Planar Imaging (EPI), multi-slice acquisition*.

Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques

• Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) Definition of diffusion, fundamental principles, Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC), ADC in tumors.
  Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), Fractional Anisotropy (FA), diffusion maps, ellipsoid field visualization, tractography.
  Common artifacts in diffusion imaging.
  
• Functional MRI (fMRI) Basic principles, BOLD (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent) effect.
  Clinical and research applications, task-based design for fMRI studies.
  Contrast mechanisms in fMRI, statistical parametric mapping (SPM), hemodynamic response analysis.
  
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) Principles of MR spectroscopy, differences between 1.5T and 3T MRI systems.
  Spectrum analysis, factors affecting spectrum quality, voxel positioning methods, water suppression, shimming, quality assurance in MRS.
  Single Voxel, 2D and 3D Chemical Shift Imaging (CSI), maximizing Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), spectroscopy phantoms.
  
• Perfusion MRI (Dynamic Perfusion Imaging) Fundamental principles of perfusion imaging, parameter definitions, visual assessment of imaging data.
  Interpretation of perfusion curves obtained through dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging.