NMRI

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (NMRI), also known as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images. It is often used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring. It is based on sophisticated technology that excites and detects the change in the direction of the rotational axis of protons found in the water that makes up living tissues.

History

The concept of NMRI was first proposed by Paul Lauterbur in 1973. Raymond Damadian, an Armenian-American physician and medical practitioner, was the first to perform a full body scan of a human being in 1977 to diagnose cancer. Damadian was not awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, though he was the recipient of the National Medal of Technology.

Principles

NMRI is based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a spectroscopic technique used to obtain microscopic chemical and physical information about molecules. The human body is largely made of water molecules, which consist of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. At the center of each atom lies an even smaller particle called a proton, which serves as a magnet and is sensitive to any magnetic field.

Applications

NMRI is used in radiology to visualize the structure and function of the body. It provides detailed images of the body in any plane. NMRI provides contrast between the different soft tissues of the body, which makes it especially useful in imaging the brain, muscles, the heart, and cancers.

Safety

While NMRI is considered a safe procedure, there are some risks associated with it. The strong magnetic field can cause certain types of implants to malfunction. Additionally, the radio frequency energy used during the NMRI scan could cause heating of the body.

See also

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Radiology
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance