North American National Chapter

Part 1: Fundamentals of MRI

Barry Southers, M.Ed., R.T., FSMRT, (R)(MR)
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH, USA

Objectives:

• Explain basic MR principles;
• Differentiate between different types of MR scanners and discuss the capabilities of various scanners;
• Distinguish the various physical principles of MRI that result in image acquisition;
• Describe the atomic structure of hydrogen and its relevance to proton alignment, precession, and imaging; and
• Distinguish the various physical principles of MRI that result in image acquisition.

Part 2: Pulse Sequences

Kristan Harrington, M.B.A., R.T.(R)(MR)(MRSO)
T2Star
Roswell, GA, USA

Objectives:

• Identify pulse sequences used in various MRI procedures and recognize various MR-weighted images;
• Describe the physical principles of all spin echo pulse sequences and their differences; and
• Describe the physical principles of all gradient echo pulse sequences and their differences.

Part 3: Spatial Encoding

Bill Faulkner, R.T.(BS)(R)(MR)(CT), FSMRT
T2Star
Ooltewah, TN, USA

Objectives:

• Describe k-space, data collection, and Fast Fourier Transform; and
• Describe how slice selection, frequency encoding and phase encoding comprise an MR image.

Part 4: MR Safety

John Posh, R.T.(R)(MR)
Aspect Imaging
Bethlehem, PA, USA

Objectives:

• Identify key elements regarding MR safety; and
• Describe the mechanism of action, applications, and safety of MR contrast agents.

Part 5: Image Optimization
(Parameters & Trade-offs)

Vera Kimbrell, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(MR), FSMRT
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Objectives:

• Explain parameter trade-offs as it pertains to SNR, CNR, temporal, and spatial resolution; and
• Analyze MR parameters used in image acquisition.

Part 6: MR Artifacts/Image Contrast

Brandy Reed, M.B.A., R.T.(R)(MR)
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX, USA

Barry Southers, M.Ed., R.T., FSMRT, (R)(MR)
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH, USA

Objectives:

• Define and describe the cause and remedy of common MR artifacts;
• Define and describe the cause and remedy of types of flow phenomena;
• Define and describe T1, T2, and proton density image contrast and their physical parameters that differ in relation to image contrast; and
• Identify and define T1 recovery and T2 decay.