MRI contrast agents improve visibility of internal body structures. This issue offers a complete, practically focused review of the use of a variety of contrast agents for MR Imaging. A contrast agent not only must be safe, but also efficacious and cost-effective, and the articles in this issue address all three of these concerns and the uses of contrast agents for a variety of applications.

This issue of MRI Clinics of North America focuses on Update on Imaging Contrast Agents, and is edited by Drs. Carlos Zamora, Mauricio Castillo, Richard Semelka. Articles will include: Historical Perspective of Imaging Contrast Agents; Current Radiographic Iodinated Contrast Agents; Contrast-enhanced Sonography; Myelography: From Lipid-based to Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents; Acute Allergic Reactions with Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents: Diagnosis and Treatment; Deposition and Chronic Toxicity of Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents; Managing Allergic Reactions to Contrast Agents; Safety of Contrast Material Use in Children; Molecular Imaging and Contrast Agents; Contrast Agents for MR Imaging: Gadolinium, Manganese, SPIO, Superparamagnetic Iron Platinum, and Oral Agents; Contrast-induced Nephropathy: Pathophysiology, Manifestations, Prevention, and Management; and more!

Drawing together topics from a wide range of disciplines, this text provides a comprehensive insight into the fundamentals of magnetic biosensors and the applications of magnetic nanoparticles in medicine. Internationally renowned researchers showcase topics ranging from the basic physical principles of magnetism to the detection and manipulation, synthesis protocols and natural occurrence of magnetic nanoparticles. Up-to-date examples of their clinical usage and research applications in the biomedical fields of sensing by diverse magnetic detection methods, in imaging by MRI and in therapeutic strategies such as hyperthermia, are also discussed, providing a thorough introduction to this rapidly developing field. Each chapter features questions with answers, highlighted definition boxes, and numerous illustrations which help readers grasp key concepts. Mathematical tools, together with key literature references, provide a strong underpinning for the material, making it ideal for graduate students, lecturers, medical researchers and industrial scientific strategists.

Over the past decade, fluorine (19F) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has garnered significant scientific interest in the biomedical research community owing to the unique properties of fluorinated materials and the 19F nucleus. Fluorine has an intrinsically sensitive nucleus for MRI. There is negligible endogenous 19F in the body and thus there is no background signal. Fluorine-containing compounds are ideal tracer labels for a wide variety of MRI applications. Moreover, the chemical shift and nuclear relaxation rate can be made responsive to physiology via creative molecular design. This book is an interdisciplinary compendium that details cutting-edge science and medical research in the emerging field of 19F MRI. Edited by Ulrich Flögel and Eric Ahrens, two prominent MRI researchers, this book will appeal to investigators involved in MRI, biomedicine, immunology, pharmacology, probe chemistry, and imaging physics.

Non-invasive, high resolution contrast arteriography without arte rial catheterization or nephrotoxicity is now possible. It is accomplished by using paramagnetic contrast and an MR scanner. Paramagnetic contrast media is injected intravenously and image data are collected as the con trast circulates through the vascular territory of interest. Due to the strong enhancement effect of paramagnetic contrast media, a small dose injected as an intravenous bolus is sufficient to briefly enhance the entire arterial vascular tree. This allows imaging with a large field-of-view that encompasses an extensive region of vascular anatomy. By using a 3D gradient echo pulse sequence on magnets with high performance gra dient systems, high resolution 3D volumes of image data are acquired in a single breath-hold. This has vastly improved image quality of 3D con trast MRA exams, particularly in the chest and abdomen. Subsequent post-processing allows an angiographic display of image data in any desired obliquity. The success of this technique is reflected by its incorporation into clinical practice in centers throughout the world. It has been applied to multiple vascular territories, using various magnets, and slightly differ ing imaging strategies. As is the ca se for all MR imaging techniques, a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms and proper technique are essential to fully exploit the diagnostic potential of this new form of angiography. This book will familiarize the reader with the basic principles of 3D contrast MRA.

Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a 'go-to' reference for methods and applications of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, with specific sections on Relaxometry, Perfusion, and Diffusion. Each section will start with an explanation of the basic techniques for mapping the tissue property in question, including a description of the challenges that arise when using these basic approaches. For properties which can be measured in multiple ways, each of these basic methods will be described in separate chapters. Following the basics, a chapter in each section presents more advanced and recently proposed techniques for quantitative tissue property mapping, with a concluding chapter on clinical applications. The reader will learn: - The basic physics behind tissue property mapping - How to implement basic pulse sequences for the quantitative measurement of tissue properties - The strengths and limitations to the basic and more rapid methods for mapping the magnetic relaxation properties T1, T2, and T2* - The pros and cons for different approaches to mapping perfusion - The methods of Diffusion-weighted imaging and how this approach can be used to generate diffusion tensor - maps and more complex representations of diffusion - How flow, magneto-electric tissue property, fat fraction, exchange, elastography, and temperature mapping are performed - How fast imaging approaches including parallel imaging, compressed sensing, and Magnetic Resonance - Fingerprinting can be used to accelerate or improve tissue property mapping schemes - How tissue property mapping is used clinically in different organs - Structured to cater for MRI researchers and graduate students with a wide variety of backgrounds - Explains basic methods for quantitatively measuring tissue properties with MRI - including T1, T2, perfusion, diffusion, fat and iron fraction, elastography, flow, susceptibility - enabling the implementation of pulse sequences to perform measurements - Shows the limitations of the techniques and explains the challenges to the clinical adoption of these traditional methods, presenting the latest research in rapid quantitative imaging which has the possibility to tackle these challenges - Each section contains a chapter explaining the basics of novel ideas for quantitative mapping, such as compressed sensing and Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting-based approaches

The significantly updated second edition of this important work provides an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), a rapidly evolving tool for diagnosis and intervention of cardiovascular disease. New and updated chapters focus on recent applications of CMR such as electrophysiological ablative treatment of arrhythmias, targeted molecular MRI, and T1 mapping methods. The book presents a state-of-the-art compilation of expert contributions to the field, each examining normal and pathologic anatomy of the cardiovascular system as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Functional techniques such as myocardial perfusion imaging and assessment of flow velocity are emphasized, along with the exciting areas of artherosclerosis plaque imaging and targeted MRI. This cutting-edge volume represents a multi-disciplinary approach to the field, with contributions from experts in cardiology, radiology, physics, engineering, physiology and biochemistry, and offers new directions in noninvasive imaging. The Second Edition of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging is an essential resource for cardiologists and radiologists striving to lead the way into the future of this important field.

Neuroimaging, Part One, a text from The Handbook of Clinical Neurology illustrates how neuroimaging is rapidly expanding its reach and applications in clinical neurology. It is an ideal resource for anyone interested in the study of the nervous system, and is useful to both beginners in various related fields and to specialists who want to update or refresh their knowledge base on neuroimaging. This first volume specifically covers a description of imaging techniques used in the adult brain, aiming to bring a comprehensive view of the field of neuroimaging to a varying audience. It brings broad coverage of the topic using many color images to illustrate key points. Contributions from leading global experts are collated, providing the broadest view of neuroimaging as it currently stands. For a number of neurological disorders, imaging is not only critical for diagnosis, but also for monitoring the effect of therapies, and the entire field is moving from curing diseases to preventing them. Most of the information contained in this volume reflects the newness of this approach, pointing to this new horizon in the study of neurological disorders. - Provides a relevant description of the technologies used in neuroimaging, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and several others - Ideal resource for anyone studying the nervous system, from beginners to specialists interested in recent advances in neuroimaging of the adult brain - Discusses the application of imaging techniques to the study of brain and spinal cord disease and its use in various syndromes - Contains vibrant, colorful images to illustrate key points

Extensively revised with new illustrations, new clinical photos, this classic text remains the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource on surgery of the hepatobiliary and pancreatic region. Dr. William Jarnagin and his team of internationally recognized surgeons continue the Blumgart’s tradition of excellence, bringing you the latest advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques. You’ll find updates on the newest minimally invasive surgeries, new interventional diagnostic techniques, and complete coverage of all relevant diseases, including those seen in the tropics. Considers all worldwide opinions and approaches to management, and includes key data on surgical outcomes to better inform your clinical decision-making. Covers exactly what you need to know, balancing basic science with information on clinical practice. Presents cutting edge guidance on pathology, diagnostics, surgery and non-operative intervention of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas in a single, comprehensive reference. Covers the most recent non-surgical therapies for pancreatic cancer, microwave ablation, and other emerging technologies. Brings you up to date with recent developments in transplantation, minimally invasive surgery, percutaneous devices, pre- and post-care, blood transfusion, and surgical techniques for the spleen. Features an extensively revised art and illustration program, with new anatomical line drawings (including hundreds now in color), more than 750 new clinical photos, more schematic diagrams that summarize information, and new graphs and algorithms throughout.