Clinical Cases
The "Clinical Cases" section provides selected images, along with a short relevant discussion, from patient exams, contributed by the MR expert network community. This section will with time cover the breadth of clinical MR. Important aspects of imaging technique and clinical findings will be discussed. Each case will also include a downloadable file (corresponding to each presented image), enabling the user to replicate on his/her MR system the specific imaging technique employed.

    Title
    View Text
    Os-acromiale NEW
    author, Nirav A. Patel, MD, MBA
    Active Multiple Sclerosis NEW
    authors, John Heymann, MD & Gregory Chaljub, MD
    Subcapsular/extracapsular hematoma NEW
    authors, J. Ryan Mikus, MD, MS & Kim Kirschner, MD
    Buford Complex
    authors, Raghuram K. Rao, MD, MPH & Andreas Von Ritschl, MD
    Low Grade Glioma
    authors, Dr Snehal More MD & Dr Roy Riascos MD
    Cholangiocarcinoma
    authors, Nirav Patel, MD, MBA, Gregory Wolfe, MD
    Right-sided vestibular schwannoma
    authors, Harisha Kommana, MD, Andreas Von Ritschl, MD
    Biceps tendon rupture
    authors, Lee Nakamura, MD, Siddharth P. Jadhav, MD
    Hepatocellular carcinoma
    authors, Dr Sandra Parada Orrego MD, Dr Snehal More MD, Dr Kimberly Kirschner MD
    Haglund’s syndrome
    authors, Dr Murli Surnedi MD, Dr Snehal More MD, Dr Siddharth Jadhav MD
    Plasmacytoma (biopsy proven)
    authors, Dr Miguel Trelles MD, Dr Roy Riascos MD
    Title
    View Text
    Metastatic breast cancer
    authors,Harisha Komanna, MD
    Posterior ankle impingement syndrome (Os trigonum syndrome)
    authors, Dr Harnoor Singh MD, Dr Siddharth P. Jadhav
    Thoracic dural AV fistula
    authors, Dr Nirav Patel MD, Dr Claudia Cotes MD
    Faculty: Dr Andreas Von Ritschl MD
    Bilateral renal artery stenosis
    authors, Dr Nirav Patel MD, Dr Joao Fernando Kazan Tannus MD, PhD
    Synovial Osteochondromatosis
    authors, Dr Harisha Kommana MD, Dr Siddharth Jadhav MD
    Arachnoid Cyst
    authors, Dr Nirav Patel MD, Dr Claudia Cotes MD
    Faculty: Dr Andreas Von Ritschl MD
    Left Ovarian Dermoid
    authors, Dr Benny Tran MD, Dr Kimberly Kirshner MD
    Talocalcaneal Fibrous Coalition
    authors, Raghuram K. Rao MD, MPH, Ashish Kandelwal, MD Siddharth P. Jadhav, MD
    Vestibular Schwannoma
    authors, Dr Murli Surnedi MD
    Cervical Fibroid
    authors, Harisha Kommana, MD , Joao Fernando Kazan Tannus M.D, Ph.D.
    Cortical Desmoid
    authors, Dr. Lee Nakamura MD, & Dr Siddharth Jadhav MD.
    Chiari I Malformation
    authors, Sandra Parada-Orrego, MD & Gregory Chaljub, MD
    Endometrioma
    authors, Lee Nakamura MD, Joao Fernando Kazan Tannus M.D, Ph.D.
    Transient Patellar Dislocation
    authors, Claudia C. Cotes, MD & Raghuram K. Rao, MD, MPH & Siddharth P. Jadhav, MD
    Oligodendroglioma
    authors, Jennifer Mayne MD
    Chiari II Malformation.
    authors, Harnoor Singh, MD and Siddharth P. Jadhav, MD
    Osteochondral defect (unstable).
    authors, Sandra Parada-Orrego, MD; Raghuram K. Rao, MD, MPH; and Siddharth P. Jadhav, MD
    Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (Moderately Differentiated).
    authors, Murali Surnedi, MD and Hanae Bahr, MD
    Moderate-sized ASD and a tiny septal VSD.
    authors, Harnoor Singh, MD , Douglas Hughes, MD
    Bucket handle tear in the left medial meniscus.
    authors, Snehal R More MD, Siddharth P Jadhav MD
    Rathke cleft cyst
    authors, Shashank Prasad, MD
    Urethral diverticulum
    authors, Ashish Khandelwal MD, Joao F Kazan-Tannus MD, PhD
    Adhesive capsulitis
    Snehal R More MD, Siddharth P Jadhav MD
    Arteriovenous malformation
    authors, Snehal R. More, MD and Tomas Uribe, MD
    Cervical Cancer
    authors, Murali Surnedi, MD
    Labral Tear
    Jennifer Mayne, MD and Siddharth P. Jadhav, MD
    Cavernous malformation or a "Cavernoma
    authors, Kristin Casey, MD and Andreas Von Ritschl, MD
    Prostate carcinoma
    authors, Murali Surnedi, MD and Joao F. Kazan-Tannus, MD, PhD
    Fracture of the Scapula
    authors, Shashank Prasad, MD and Siddharth P. Jadhav, MD
    Capillary telangiectasia
    authors, authors,Sankaman N. Praisoody, MD and Sandra Parada-Orrego, MD
    Articular Cartilage Defect
    authors, Siddharth P. Jadhav, MD and Ashish Khandelwal, MD
    Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation
    authors, Joao F. Kazan-Tannus, MD, PhD and Shashank Prasad, MD
    Renal Cell Carcinoma
    authors, Raghuram K. Rao MD, MPH,  Joao F. Kazan-Tannus, MD, PhD
    Vestibular Schwannoma
    authors, Sankaman N. Praisoody, MD  Val M. Runge, MD
    Ganglion Cyst:
    authors, Snehal R. More, MD  Siddharth P. Jadhav, MD
    Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy
    author, Radko Krissak, MD, Christina Doesch, MD
    Nephroblastoma
    author, Johanna Nissen, MD
    Dilatative Arteriopathy
    author, Stefan Haneder, MD
    Metastatic Melanoma
    author, lexandra Gutfleisch, MD
    Severe Degenerative Changes of the Hip Joint
    authors, Miriam Reichert, MD, Henrik Michaely, MD
    Partial Rupture of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament
    authors, Miriam Reichert, MD, Henrik Michaely, MD
    Contrast Enhanced MRA of Dissection of the Carotid Artery
    authors, Alexandra Gutfleisch, MD, Henrik Michaely, MD
    Contrast Enhanced MRA of the Carotid Arteries
    authors, Alexandra Gutfleisch, MD, Henrik Michaely, MD
    An Overview of Imaging Techniques for the Carotid Bifurcation
    author, Randal Aschenbeck, MD
    Contrast Enhanced MRA of the Pulmonary Arteries, Demonstrating Pulmonary Embolism
    authors, Henrik Michaely, MD, Ulrike Attenberger, MD
    Contrast Enhanced MRA of the Renal Arteries, with Renal Artery Stenosis
    authors, Johanna Nissen, MD, Henrik Michaely, MD
    MRA – False Aneurysm of the Renal Artery
    authors, Johanna Nissen, MD, Henrik Michaely, MD
    Contrast Enhanced MRA of a Pelvic Arteriovenous Malformation
    author, Alexandra Gutfleisch, MD
    Arteriovenous Malformation
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Cervical Carcinoma
    authors, Wei Zhang MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Contrast Enhanced MRA of the Abdomen and Lower Extremities, Demonstrating Multifocal Atherosclerotic Vessel Stenoses
    author, Ulrike I Attenberger, MD
    Continuous table movement MRA for diagnosis of generalized atherosclerotic disease
    author, Harald Kramer, MD
    Meningioma
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Optic Sheath Meningioma
    author, Tobias Saam, MD
    Suprasellar Germinoma
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Metastatic Pituitary Disease
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Pituitary Macroadenoma
    author, Val M. Runge, MD
    Oligoastrocytoma
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Astrocytoma
    authors, Wei Zhang MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Cavernoma
    authors, Wei Zhang MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Brain Abscess
    authors, Fei Ai, MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Cerebellar glioma
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Thalamic glioma
    author, Wei Zhang, MD
    Arachnoid cyst
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Tethered spinal cord
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Chiari I malformation
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma
    author, Harald Kramer, MD
    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
    authors, Daniel Theisen, MD | Harald Kramer, MD | Bernd Wintersperger, MD
    Anterior Cruciate Ligament Disruption
    author, Matthias P. Lichy, MD, MSc
    Perthes Lesion - Anterior Labral Separation
    author, Annie Horng, MD

    Enchondroma
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD

    Liposarcoma
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD

    Myxochondrosarcoma
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD

    Nonossifying Fibroma
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD

    Tenosynovial Giant-cell Tumor
    author, Fei Ai, MD and John N. Morelli, MD
    Synovial Sarcoma
    authors, Fei Ai, MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Enchondroma
    authors, Fei Ai, MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Gout
    authors, Fei Ai, MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Liposarcoma
    authors, Fei Ai, MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Neurofibroma
    authors, Fei Ai, MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Ollier Disease
    authors, Fei Ai, MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Osseous Lymphoma
    authors, Fei Ai, MD , John N. Morelli, MD
    Low-grade malignant fibrous histiocytoma
    author, Fei Ai, MD
    Osteosarcoma
    author, Wei Zhang, MD
    Fibroepithelial papilloma
    author, Fei Ai, MD
    Metastatic Vertebral Disease
    author, Fei Ai, MD



Clinical Methods


Magnets, Spins, and Resonances: An introduction to the Basics of Magnetic Resonance

This 193 page essay describes in easily understandable language the basic principles of MR. It starts with a short excursion through MR physics. The essay then proceeds to a discussion of spin relaxation and echoes, which leads to the section dedicated to the resultant observed signal and generation of the final image. The wide range of tissue contrasts that can be achieved, how fast images are generated, and the actual components that make up an MR system, are all then discussed in turn.
    Title
    View
    Magnets, Spins, and Resonances: An introduction to the Basics of Magnetic Resonance


Magnets, Flows and Artifacts: Basics, Techniques, and Applications of Magnetic Resonance

This 133 page essay describes in easily understandable language several important topics encompassing overall image quality and then specifically the impact of flow. It starts with a short discussion of image quality and important factors therein. Flow and motion are then discussed in depth. The essay continues with the topics of saturation and chemical shift, which are important in a discussion of image quality and flow effects. Functional imaging, fast imaging techniques, and the detection and avoidance of image artifacts, are all then discussed in turn.
    Title
    View
    Magnets, Flows and Artifacts: Basics, Techniques, and Applications of Magnetic Resonance


Definition and Clarification of TR in Modern Imaging, with Emphasis on Cardiac Applications

As MR has evolved, the definition of TR has become quite complex, particularly with gated sequences. This article begins with an introduction to TR, covering its definition in spin echo and multislice fast spin echo sequences, and subsequently discusses in depth its definition in the plethora of cardiac gated sequences employed in modern imaging.
    Title
    View
    Definition and Clarification of TR in Modern Imaging, with Emphasis on Cardiac Applications Author, Gary McNeal, MS BME

MR Protocols

The goals of this series of MR imaging protocols are to:
  • Offer protocols that are state of the art for newer equipment and contrast agents to enable clinicians to use MR imaging technologies to their fullest capabilities

  • Provide an important educational service to radiologists and radiology technologists by presenting optimized approaches for the acquisition of highly diagnostic images of the central nervous system (CNS), body, and vasculature using newer-generation MR scanners, sequences, and acquisition parameters

  • Demonstrate how protocols should be modified to take into account the different physicochemical properties of the currently available MR contrast agents Suggested protocols specific to General Electric (GE), Siemens, and Philips MR systems are included, with these protocols developed based on the consensus of 3 panels of experts with experience on each platform.
    Title
    View
    MR Protocols



Clinical Lectures


Nodular Lesions in Diffuse Liver Disease

    Title
    View slides and audio
    Nodular Lesions in Diffuse Liver Disease


Continuous Table Movement in MR Angiography - syngo Tim CT

    Title
    View
    Continuous Table Movement in MR Angiography - syngo Tim CT by Harald Kramer, MD



Clinical Articles


Case Report: syngo TimCT – MR Angiography in Clinical Routine
K. Lederle; S. Haneder; U. Attenberger; G. Weisser; S. O. Schoenberg; H. J. Michaely

Studies at the University Medical Center in Mannheim, Germany show that the continuous moving table MRA approach is a major improvement in imaging the lower extremities in a clinical setting as it combines an easy, fast and robust workflow with good clinical results and is applicable to a broad range of patients.

    Title
    View PDF
    syngo TimCT – MR Angiography in Clinical Routine

Case Report: Fast Joint Imaging at 1.5 Tesla with a Combination of the Quadrature Knee and Body Matrix Coil in Case of Severe Knee Pain of an Obese Patient Marietta Garmer M.D., Serban Mateiescu

Knee MRI is challenging in both obese patients and patients in pain, requiring in some cases special coil setups as imaging is impossible with a conventional closed knee coil. In the presented case, a flexible coil setup is demonstrated in combination with open-bore MR technology. This illustrates the benefit of such setups in the diagnosis of knee pain in obese patients.

    Title
    View PDF
    Fast Joint Imaging at 1.5 Tesla with a Combination of the Quadrature Knee and Body Matrix Coil in Case of Severe Knee Pain of an Obese Patienty

Case Report: Knee MR Imaging of Haemarthrosis in a Case of Haemophilia A
M. A. Weber, J. K. Kloth
University Hospital Heidelberg, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany

Imaging pediatric joints is often still a domain of x-ray and ultrasound. However, the application of MRI is of growing importance, not only because of its excellent soft tissue contrast but also because of its capability to early and precisely detect bone destruction. In this case, Prof. Marc-André Weber (University of Heidelberg, Germany) reports on the imaging findings of a 14-year-old male with known hemophilia A.

    Title
    View PDF
    Knee MR Imaging of Haemarthrosis in a Case of Haemophilia

Tips for T2-weighted TSE Shoulder Imaging with Spectral Fat Saturation
Wei Jun Zhang1; Hans-Peter Hollenbach

Robust fat saturation can be achieved by different approaches including the application of inversion recovery sequences or advanced fat suppression pulses such as SPAIR. However, in some cases, such as the musculoskeletal imaging of the shoulder, the combination of a T2- weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence with a conventional spectral fat saturation pulse is needed. When imaging obese or very tall patients, the shoulder has to be positioned off-center in many MR exams and therefore several factors will affect image quality with spectral fat saturation. This article provides tips on patient positioning and sequence set-up that will help you to achieve high quality spectral fat saturation.

    Title
    View PDF
    Tips for T2-weighted TSE Shoulder Imaging with Spectral Fat Saturation


Traumatic Lesion of the Left Brachial Plexus
Markus Lentschig, M.D.

To diagnose peripheral neurologic deficits, imaging of the vertebral disks alone may not be sufficient. Depending on the clinical symptoms, the nerve roots themselves need to be evaluated in detail. In the presented case of a traumatic lesion of the brachial plexus, Markus Lentschig, MD (MR and PET/CT Center, Bremen, Germany) presents his 1.5 T imaging protocol for the evaluation of the cervical nerve roots and brachial plexus.

    Title
    View PDF
    Traumatic Lesion of the Left Brachial Plexus


Assessment of Tumor Extension and Improved Localization for Planning and Nerve Sparing Radical Prostatectomy
Matthias Philipp Lichy, M.D.

The potential of state-of-the-art MRI at 3 T, in prostate imaging without the use of an endorectal coil, is discussed in this article. Two clinical cases are presented, with MRI in each instance able to improve both therapy planning and surgical outcome.

    Title
    View PDF
    Assessment of Tumor Extension and Improved Localization for Planning and Nerve Sparing Radical Prostatectomy

Nonsecretory Multiple Myeloma MRI Monitoring of Therapy Response
Marius Horger, M.D.

Multiple myeloma is a malignant hematologic disorder characterized by the infiltration of neoplastic plasma cells into bone marrow. Detection of medullary involvement is best accomplished with the aid of MRI. Visualization of myeloma burden at baseline and during therapy is beneficial for improved patient management and accurate prognostic evaluation. Therefore, whole-body imaging protocols are mandatory, especially for assessment of myeloma infiltration in all bone marrow cavities (medullary involvement) as well as for diagnosis of extramedullary involvement.

    Title
    View PDF
    Nonsecretory Multiple Myeloma MRI Monitoring of Therapy Response


Whole-Body MRI for Accurate Assessment of Tumor Load of Bone Metastases Originate from Mamma Carcinoma

Philip Aschoff, MD; Christina Pfannenberg, MD; Claus Claussen, MD; Heinz-Peter Schlemmer, MD

With breast carcinoma, detection of metastases and estimation of tumor load is of high relevance for patient-individualized therapy regimes. This article presents two cases that show the advantages of MRI for imaging bone metastases originating from breast cancer. In both cases, there was the high clinical suspicion of tumor recurrence with metastastic spread. The patients underwent therefore combined whole- body 18F FDG PET/CT and whole-body MRI for tumor staging with special focus on the brain, liver and bone marrow.

    Title
    View PDF
    Whole-Body MRI for Accurate Assessment of Tumor Load of Bone Metastases Originate from Mamma Carcinoma


Case Reports: Tumor Detection by Diffusion-Weighted MRI and ADC-Mapping with Correlation to PET/CT Results
Matthias Philipp Lichy, M.D.; Philip Aschoff, M.D.;
Christina Pfannenberg, M.D.; Schlemmer Heinz-Peter, M.D.

Early and accurate estimation of metastatic spread is essential for a patient-adapted, efficient therapy regime. In this context, whole-body and multi-step MRI have already helped to improve the diagnostic accuracy of staging examinations. As a further step, it is known that cancer is also often characterized by higher cellularity and therefore restriction of water diffusion. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with high b-values has therefore been applied to image metastases in order to help improve the diagnostic accuracy of MRI. The working-group of Schlemmer et al., Department of Radiology, University of Tuebingen, Germany, have compared the findings with results of 18F-FDG PET/CT exams.

    Title
    View PDF
    Case Reports: Tumor Detection by Diffusion-Weighted MRI and ADC-Mapping with Correlation to PET/CT Results

Case Report: Metastases from Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: Value of Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging Compared to 68Ga-DOTATOC PET-CT
Bernhard Klumpp, M.D.; Philip Aschoff, M.D.; Mehmet Oeksuez M.D.
Christiane Pfannenberg, M.D.; Heinz-Peter Schlemmer, M.D.

Neuroendocrine tumors may be challenging to diagnose. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) plays an important role in the accurate detection of liver lesions, which may be occult onconventional MRI and especially CT. In the presented case, the suspicion of diffuse hepatic spread is also supported by the additionally performed 68Ga-DOTATOC PET. The article shows, that DWI of the liver is a valuable tool for the exact estimation of hepatic tumor load.

    Title
    View PDF
    Case Report: Metastases from Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: Value of Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging Compared to 68Ga-DOTATOC PET-CT




MR Safety


Static Magnetic Field


There are two types of forces exerted on a ferrous (iron) object when brought in close proximity to an MR magnet: rotational and translational. The rotational force (torque) is that which causes a ferrous object to turn and align with the direction of the magnetic field. Rotational forces are strongest at the isocenter of the magnet.
Translational forces are those that cause a ferrous object to be pulled toward the magnet isocenter. Bringing a ferrous object into the magnet room is extremely dangerous and should not be done. Many times, once one feels the pull of the magnetic field, it is too late.
The series of pictures, as well as video, demonstrate the strength of a 1.5 T magnet (which was being decommissioned) and its effect upon a non-MR compatible wheelchair that was brought into the scan room.


Imaging Techniques

Clinical Updates

Imaging techniques
Search Clinical-MRI.com