MR imaging

The course gives an overview of Magnetic Resonance Imaging with focus on applications. Basic MR-physics, spatial encoding, basic pulse sequences, contrast in MR, MR hardware, MR safety, contrast agents, protocol optimization, overview of some clinical MR applications, including diffusion, perfusion and spectroscopy. Research applications of MRI, including ultra-high field.

The course is equivalent to MEDT8011 at the Medical Faculty.

After completing the course, the student should:

• know the basic principles of magnetic resonance imaging.
• be able to describe principles of spatial encoding in MRI.
• be able to explain the basic outlay of the spin and gradient echo sequences.
• know the main components of an MR system.
• be able to describe diffusion weighted, perfusion weighted, angiography, functional MRI, and what these sequences are used for.
• know about contrast agents in MRI; including which contrast agents are available sequence types used, and areas of use in medicine and research.
• be able to discuss factors influencing image quality, including recognize common artifacts and the origin of these.
• know of possible health risks connected to the use of MRI, including the use of contrast agents.
• know about different areas within research, medicine, and industry where MR methods are used.
• have performed a MRI experiment and analyzed the results in a group, and presented this with the group to the other students in the course.

Lectures, demonstrations, practical assignments (compulsory) and oral presentations (compulsory). Lectures will be held at St. Olavs Hospital/DMF campus Øya. Language will be English if international students participate. Because of limited resources available for the lab-assignments, the maximum number of students may be limited. The course will not be held if the total number of attending students is below 5 participants. If possible, all lectures will be broadcasted over the web or made available in digital format. This to make the course available for external students outside NTNU.