Real-time MRI

Real-time MRI of a human heart (2-chamber view) at 22 ms resolution[1]
Real-time MRI of a vocal tract while singing, at 40 ms resolution

Real-time magnetic resonance imaging (RT-MRI) refers to the continuous monitoring of moving objects in real time. Traditionally, real-time MRI was possible only with low image quality or low temporal resolution. An iterative reconstruction algorithm removed limitations. Radial FLASH MRI (real-time) yields a temporal resolution of 20 to 30 milliseconds for images with an in-plane resolution of 1.5 to 2.0 mm.[2] Real-time MRI adds information about diseases of the joints and the heart. In many cases MRI examinations become easier and more comfortable for patients, especially for the patients who cannot calm their breathing[3] or who have arrhythmia.

Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging gives better image contrast between the blood pool and myocardium than FLASH MRI, at the cost of severe banding artifact when B0 inhomogeneity is strong.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Zhang2010a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ M Uecker, S Zhang, D Voit, A Karaus, KD Merboldt, J Frahm (2010a) Real-time MRI at a resolution of 20 ms. NMR Biomed 23: 986-994, [1] doi:10.1002/nbm.1585
  3. ^ a b Uyanik I, Lindner P, Tsiamyrtzis P, Shah D, Tsekos NV, Pavlidis IT (2013). "Applying a Level Set Method for Resolving Physiologic Motions in Free-Breathing and Non-gated Cardiac MRI". Functional Imaging and Modeling of the Heart. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Vol. 7945. pp. 466–473. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-38899-6_55. ISBN 978-3-642-38898-9. ISSN 0302-9743. S2CID 16840737.