Educational Course

ORGANIZERS: Marcus T. Alley, Ph.D. & Bernd Jung, Ph.D.

Tuesday, 25 April 2017

Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Slack Channel: #e_crosscutting
Session Number: Tu02

Overview
This two-hour course will be a basic and comprehensive review of MRI physics and techniques. The presentations will be non-mathematical and suitable for clinicians and physicists new to the field. The course will cover pulse sequence design and timing diagrams for basic MR imaging techniques such as spin-echo imaging, gradient-echo imaging, and fast spin-echo imaging. The course will be a basic and comprehensive review of MRI physics and techniques. The presentations will be non-mathematical and suitable for clinicians and physicists new to the field. The course will cover the basic principles of MR physics (signal generation, encoding, and relaxation) and k-space.

Target Audience
This course is primarily designed for the clinician who will benefit from an understanding of the "how’s and why’s" of MR imaging. While it requires no prior experience with MR, those with some familiarity and experience will also benefit. Those interested may include: radiologists and clinicians relatively new to MR imaging (including residents and fellows), experienced radiologists and clinicians wanting a refresher course in MR physics, and physicists and engineers wanting an introduction to the field.

Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
-Recognize the basic physics and properties of pulse sequences based upon spin and gradient echoes;
-Describe fast spin-echo imaging and applications of basic MR pulse sequences; and
-Design MR imaging protocols for diagnostic applications considering image contrast, spatial resolution, acquisition time, signal-to-noise ratio, and artifacts.