Magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important new imaging modality just arriving on the clinical scene in Canada. MRI uses no ionizing radiation; images are derived from the interaction of hydrogen nuclei, a powerful magnetic field, and radio waves. Images are displayed as tomographic slices, much like CT. Direct transverse, sagittal, coronal or oblique slices can be obtained. Unlike CT, the MRI image does not reflect varying tissue densities. In MRI, tissues are differentiated by variation in the amount of hydrogen they contain and by differences in the magnetic environment at a molecular level. All parts of the body can be examined with MRI, although the CNS is particularly well visualized. In addition to providing high resolution images, MRI has the potential for performing non-invasive angiography and biochemical analysis through spectroscopy. To date, there are no known harmful effects of MRI.