LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Understand the thinking of routine protocols in relation to contrast of tissues and level of anatomy
- Use efficiently the appropriate techniques in order to achieve the best image quality and the most reliable diagnostic information in every patient
- Apply the appropriate optimization techniques (eg. Techniques of artifact reduction)
- Mention the amendments of every imaging parameter and how it influences the spatial resolution, the SNR and the scan time.
- Choose the appropriate sequences for a specific anatomic region in routine examinations
- Become familiar with every anatomic region in multiple space levels
- Become able to recognize gross pathological situations such as tumors in MRIs
- Understand the techniques of digital image processing in modern computing systems
Aim and objectives of the course: The aim of the course is to present to the student the indications and imaging protocol design of the various anatomical regions with magnetic resonance imaging. To acquaint the student with the necessary practical steps of using and optimizing the protocols that will satisfy the anatomy of each examined area and the particularities of each patient. Also, to understand the techniques of digital image processing in modern computing systems.
SYLLABUS
1. Introduction to Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Physical Principles
2. Contrast and image weighting
3. Spatial encoding and image formation
4. Technical Artifacts
5. Pulse sequences
6. Image quality
7. Routine protocols of brain and neck
8. Routine protocols of spine
9. Routine protocols of abdomen and pelvis
10. Tissues suppression techniques and MRI in high magnetic fields
11. Parallel imaging and Echo Planar Imaging Techniques
12. Display of image, image formation and digital processing
13. Mathematical methods of image processing – transformations