Planning and Positioning in MRI

This is a gem of a book that I refer to often for positioning of those rarely done or difficult to position exams. This book is nearly complete from head to toe in MRI positioning and is easy to read with great photos showing slice selections. It includes pituitary, orbits, cranial nerves, TMJ's, brachial plexus, elbow/FABS view, pancreas, fetal, pelvic arteries, femur/quads/hamstring, foot and other more and less common exams. Each chapter begins with an anatomy drawing with labels to the important/obscure parts. 

Positioning in MRI is a clinical manual about the creation of magnetic resonance images. This manual focuses upon patient positioning and image planning.

The manual is organised by body region and provides valuable insight into -

Patient pathology on MRI contrast agent.
Considerations when positioning both the patient and coil.
Imaging planes.
Anatomical image alignment.
This manual is a comprehensive highly visual reference to the planning and positioning of patients and coils in MR imaging. High quality imaging specific to patient pathology is encouraged through the focus on ‘considerations’ specific to coil and patient placement and imaging plane selection.

Over 200 small animals MRI images
Formulaic internal design assist use as clinical manual to MRI planning
Evidence base provided where appropriate (cranial neurology)
Image selection – assist learning principles that underpin good positioning and anatomical coverage
Explores positioning of patient and coils specific to individual treatment requirements
Evolve website – image collection (over 200 MR images) and additional case studies

Every section in the chapter clearly states what the different series demonstrate in the anatomy which I find very helpful when a patients diagnosis is already known and certain sequences can provide greater detail for the radiologist. Using this reference has helped build my confidence and made me look really smart to my peers too. 

Editor needs to be more careful

I purchased this to help study for the registry. Unfortunately some of the question/answers are out of order. And some of the answers just plain wrong! For instance, SAR, on question 169, is specific absorbtion rate, NOT, susceptibility attack region as the answer states. If this was the only study guide I was using, that type of miss matches would really screw me up. I know that this guide is coming out in print in June 2013, hopefully this will have been caught. If not, buyer beware. Luckily I have been through an MRI contrast agent course and am not just using this review. If you haven’t, please invest in more study materials than just this guide. All in all,this could be much better, however I think it is the editing and not Ms Roth that is at fault. The information is present, it just seems to have gotten a bit jumbled.

Definitely one of the reasons I passed the registry test 1st time up. A simple book of questions with multiple choice answers. If you don’t understand why the answer is that particular answer you should cross reference with Small Animals MRI in Practice, MIC Crosstrainer or IACI Online to fully understand as these are NOT the exact registry questions, but gives you a good idea of what to expect and what to study. Definitely don’t make this your only study resource though as there’s a ton of theory and physics on the test that you need to understand not just regurgitate multiple choice answers.

I was rattled by the numerous errors contained in the first version. While this version has supposedly been corrected, novices like me would do well to proceed cautiously. I suppose there is some value in looking up the answers from an independent and more reliable source but I doubt most people buying a review book would want to do so

That being said, the book is comprehensive. Divided into four parts covering Patient Care, Imaging Procedures, Data Acquisition and Processing and Physical Principles of Image formation it also includes a glossary and a single MRI Calculations page. The bulk of the book contains questions including some with adequate if not exceptionally clear photographic images.

On its face, this book appears to be helpful. but neophytes might not recognize the errors so I would use care before relying on this source alone.

I have now purchased the ad version and the book itself but they both contain the same mistakes. I don’t think that anyone proof read the book before it was published. Answers are misnumbered and just plain wrong answers are given. It’s not very helpful when you are trying to study for the MRI boards. I have now spent $100 for both and still are looking up the correct answers. Not a review book from these two authors I expected to get.

Must Have for Protein NMR Spectroscopists

People who start they adventure with the protein NMR spectroscopy should learn from the old Wuthrich’s book first, which was published in 1986. Beginner should not start his adventure with the protein NMR spectroscopy from working with the multidimentional spectra only. In my opinion man should properly understand 2D NMR spectroscopy of different biomolecules first.

This book is one of the best NMR texts I have read. That being said, it is also one of the most challenging NMR texts I have read (it’s a tie between this and Intro to SSNMR by Melinda Duer). This book is definitely not a beginners book, so if you are just starting to learn about NMR buy something more basic like Spin Dynamics by Levitt or Understanding NMR analyzer by Keeler and read it first. I have yet to find a protein NMR text out there as good as this one. The detail in which Dr. Palmer goes into is fantastic while still being very understandable. More than anything I appreciate the depth in which he covers the different experiment types. This is a must have for anyone doing protein NMR work.

It covers advanced ideas. The book authors are alphabetical, and anyone in the field refers to it as the Palmer book…He sacrificed his research as an asst. prof to write such a great book. Great discussion of Bloch and how T1 and T2 were originally proposed. I recommend this book along side the Malcom Levitt book (Spin Dynamics). The amazon copy of this book has different paper than other copies in my lab. It is thicker and heavier, but better for writing on or annotating. Other copies in the lab with the older paper have a hard time writing on it. The binding is real crappy, I left it in the lab with that huge orgo encyclopedia sitting on the first 20 pages so it would stay open. I would have really appreciated a paperback version, but they don’t make one. Note there is significant differences between the first and second editions, don’t cheap out you will be sorry. Get this one.

This is the new standard for Protein NMR spectroscopists (the old one being Ernst). Everyone I’ve met who uses NMR application in biology has nothing but praise for this book. It’s not a perfect book and has some weakness, especially in the modelling portions. The math derivations are clear but the authors do not connect back to the physical phenomenon. I would recommend keeping a QM book nearby as a reference. However, this book is well written overall and very complete.

Important new techniques and applications of NMR spectroscopy have emerged since the first edition of this extremely successful book was published in 1996. The second edition includes new sections describing measurement and use of residual dipolar coupling constants for structure determination, TROSY and deuterium labeling for application to large macromolecules, and experimental techniques for characterizing conformational dynamics. In addition, the treatments of instrumentation and signal acquisition, field gradients, multidimensional spectroscopy, and structure calculation are updated and enhanced.

How to Define The Best MRI contrast agent

It really depends what you’re looking for and what you’re looking to highlight. For instance, Richard Tabassi mentioned above that targeting is important. Most targeting is done using chemistry at the surface of ultra-small superparamagnetic iron-oxides (USPIO), which are not approved for human use by the FDA.

These are T2-shortening agents. It means it decreases the signal at the site of the contrast agent. There are methods to increase the signal to get positive contrast (i.e. making the image brighter at the site of the agent), such as this: Generating positive contrast from off-resonant spins with steady-state free precession magnetic resonance imaging: theory and proof-of-principle experiments – Abstract – Physics in Medicine and Biology – IOPscience

The Gadolinium-based agents are typically used more as blood-pool agents for angiography (looking at blood vessel structure) and blood-flow measurements. They are a better blood-pool agent because they have a strong effect on blood T1, resulting in bright blood in images, while USPIO effect on T1 is minimal.

Gd-based contrast agents have been discouraged / contraindicated in some cases of people with kidney conditions because of their strongly suspected side effects on the kidney, likely causing or accelerating nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF): Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: a serious late adverse reaction to gadodiamide. However, they are still widely used for many applications.

I doubt the long-term side effects of Gd or USPIO are all well-known. It’s very difficult to know the long-term effects of such agents (or of almost of anything foreign to the body). It’s easy for scientists simply to dismiss these concerns and assume something to be harmless using arguments like “it is entirely secreted through this or that system”, etc., but this is what we thought about Gd and it turned out to be wrong.

MRI has some organ specific contrast agents, and also some you can drink that don’t use Gd, but the only injectable general MRI contrast agent used in the US are chelated gadolinium (Gd) compounds.

For reasons discussed by Sherif Fahmy, these may cause nephrogenic sclerosis, but the odds are low if you have no renal disease (and they will do a blood test to check). Still, the Gd agents that are less-well chelated are more highly correlated with this problem (which is no doubt caused by free Gd+3 ion, which is toxic), so it would make sense to get the second generation macrocyclic ionic Gd agents that are better chelated. In the US, this presently means only Dotarem (gadoterate):

FDA Approves Dotarem® (gadoterate meglumine), first macrocyclic and ionic gadolinium-based contrast agent in USA

This, rather than older first-generation agents like OptiMARK, Omniscan, and Magnevist, which have all been associated with nephrogenic sclerosis. Unfortunately, you probably won’t get a choice, and certainly won’t if you’re not the payor. In an HMO you get what they have, and there are something like eight other (cheaper) agents besides Dotarem that you may, and probably will, get instead. If you pay for the MRI out of pocket, on the other hand, you can call around and find what the clinic uses, and perhaps even make a deal for what they’re going to use. They may be willing to order Dotarem for you.

I’m not a salesman for Dotarem and have nothing to do with the stuff. But if I had to pick a general Gd agent to be injected with for an affordable mri system, I would try to get this one. It just makes better sense.

EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION TO NMR THEORY

Used in concert with complementary analytical techniques such as light spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most powerful tool for the determination of organic structure. This book fosters a real-world understanding of NMR spectroscopy and how it works without burying the reader in technical details and physical and mathematical formalism. With an accessible, clear style and approach,benchtop NMR Spectroscopy Explained:

Introduces readers to modern NMR spectroscopy as it is applied to the analysis of organic compounds and biomolecules

Minimizes complicated theory and focuses on the practical aspects of NMR spectroscopy

Provides comprehensive coverage of how NMR spectroscopy experiments actually work and how to optimize them on the spectrometer

Provides examples of every experiment, with detailed interpretation of data

Presents essential descriptive theory in mainly nonmathematical terms

The guide starts with a basic model and expands it one step at a time, complete with experiments and examples, helping readers who are not experts in physics or physical chemistry to develop an empowering understanding of even the most complex biological NMR spectroscopy techniques. It is an ideal reference for professionals in industry and academia who use NMR analyzer technology, NMR facility managers, and upper-level undergraduates and graduate students in organic chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, biophysics, and engineering.

Furthermore, frequent diagrams, margin notes, and glossary definitions all help to enhance a student’s understanding of these essential areas of chemistry. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance offers a concise and accessible introduction to the physical principles of liquid-state NMR, a powerful technique for probing molecular structures. Examples, applications, and exercises are provided throughout to enable beginning undergraduates to get to grips with this important analytical technique. Online Resource Centre The Online Resource Centre to accompany Nuclear Magnetic Resonance features: For registered adopters of the text: * Figures from the book available to download For students: * Multiple-choice questions for self-directed learning * Full worked solutions to the end-of-chapter exercises

Moreover, cutting-edge examples and applications throughout the texts show the relevance of the chemistry being described to current research and industry. The learning features provided, including questions at the end of every chapter and online multiple-choice questions, encourage active learning and promote understanding.

Book is great - Kindle reader version is a hassle to read equations

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is currently doing breast MRI contrast agent or interesting in starting. The first several chapters are directed toward understanding the physics behind breast MR and are easy to understand even by a non-physicist. The second half of the book turns toward protocols, safety and optimizing breast MRI techniques. The book is clearly written and has changed my clinical practice. I am now performing studies that use magnet time more efficiently and with improved image quality. This book is valuable to both the beginner and the experienced breast imager. It is particularly helpful to radiologists who want to improve their breast MRI protocols. I also recommend this book to any technologist who wants to know more about breast MRI.


Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an integral component of medical imaging. Whilst new measurement techniques and applications continue to be developed nearly thirty years after the initial clinical scanners were installed the basic principles behind the measurement techniques remain as true today as then. This fifth edition of MRI Basic Principles and Applications presents the fundamental concepts of MRI in a clear and concise manner, minimizing the mathematical formalism yet providing a foundation to understand the results that are obtained with today’s clinical scanners. This book:


Accessible introductory guide from renowned teachers in the benchtop nmr field
Provides a concise yet thorough introduction for MRI focusing on fundamental physics, pulse sequences, and clinical applications without presenting advanced math
Takes a practical approach, including up-to-date protocols, and supports technical concepts with thorough explanations and illustrations
Highlights sections that are directly relevant to radiology board exams
Presents new information on the latest scan techniques and applications including 3 Tesla whole body scanners, safety issues, and the nephrotoxic effects of gadolinium-based contrast media
This is an ideal resource to help radiologists prepare for their exams and understand the underlying MR physics principles as efficiently as possible.

Review Questions for MRI

I was rattled by the numerous errors contained in the first version. While this version has supposedly been corrected, novices like me would do well to proceed cautiously. I suppose there is some value in looking up the answers from an independent and more reliable source but I doubt most people buying a review book would want to do so

That being said, the book is comprehensive. Divided into four parts covering Patient Care, Imaging Procedures, Data Acquisition and Processing and Physical Principles of Image formation it also includes a glossary and a single MRI Calculations page. The bulk of the book contains questions including some with adequate if not exceptionally clear photographic images.

On its face, this book appears to be helpful. but neophytes might not recognize the errors so I would use care before relying on this source alone.

Definitely one of the reasons I passed the registry test 1st time up. A simple book of questions with multiple choice answers. If you don't understand why the answer is that particular answer you should cross reference with MRI contrast agent in Practice, MIC Crosstrainer or IACI Online to fully understand as these are NOT the exact registry questions, but gives you a good idea of what to expect and what to study. Definitely don't make this your only study resource though as there's a ton of theory and physics on the test that you need to understand not just regurgitate multiple choice answers.

I have now purchased the ad version and the book itself but they both contain the same mistakes. I don't think that anyone proof read the book before it was published. Answers are misnumbered and just plain wrong answers are given. It's not very helpful when you are trying to study for the Small Animals MRI boards. I have now spent $100 for both and still are looking up the correct answers. Not a review book from these two authors I expected to get.

Book of NMR CASE STUDIES

NMR Case Studies: Data Analysis of Complicated Molecules provides a detailed discussion of the full logical flow associated with assigning the NMR spectra of complex molecules while helping readers further develop their NMR spectral assignment skills.

The robust case studies present the logic of each assignment from beginning to end, and fully explore the available range of potential solutions. Readers will gain a better appreciation of various approaches and will develop an intuitive sense for when this particular concept should be implemented. This enhances the skill sets of readers by providing a host of methodologies potentially amenable to yielding correct assignments.

Readers will gain a better appreciation of various approaches and will develop an intuitive sense for when this particular concept should be implemented. This enhances the skill sets of readers by providing a host of methodologies potentially amenable to yielding correct assignments. Authored by a scientist with more than 20 years of experience in research and instruction, this book is the ideal reference for anyone in search of application-based content that addresses complicated molecules including corticosteroids, biomolecules, polypeptides, and secondary metabolites.

Features the nuclear magnetic resonance NMR system for EDU spectra of a number of large and interesting molecules, ranging from corticosteroids to secondary metabolites to large synthetically prepared molecules
Uses case studies to pair the spectral signals from the various sites of each molecule to their molecular counterparts in a process called assignment
Includes complex NMR system for research problems, aiding readers in the development of NMR spectral assignment skills
Features input from a leading scientist with over 20 years of research and instruction experience in the field

Authored by a scientist with more than 20 years of experience in research and instruction, this book is the ideal reference for anyone in search of application-based content that addresses complicated molecules including corticosteroids, biomolecules, polypeptides, and secondary metabolites.