Lesson 1Using Gadolinium Contrast Agents: When to Use, Contraindications, and Reducing NSF RisksThis lesson reviews gadolinium contrast properties, uses, and doses, then covers contraindications, NSF risks, screening, and ways to lower risks while keeping image quality and clinical benefits intact.
Gadolinium chelate types and stability classesClinical indications in neuro and MSK MRIRenal function assessment and eGFR thresholdsContraindications and high‑risk patient groupsNSF pathophysiology and risk reduction stepsInformed consent and documentation practicesLesson 2Choosing Sequences and Adjusting Parameters to Balance Contrast, Resolution, and Scan TimeThis lesson explains how sequence picks and settings affect contrast, resolution, and time, teaching real trades using TR, TE, flip angle, field of view, matrix, and parallel imaging in standard protocols.
TR, TE, and flip angle fundamentalsAdjusting contrast with sequence familiesBalancing spatial resolution and SNRScan time, averages, and parallel imagingFOV, matrix, and slice thickness choicesProtocol optimization for clinical questionsLesson 3MRI Safety Zones, Access Rules, and Patient Monitoring (Ear Protection, Emergency Plans)This lesson defines MRI safety zones, access policies, and staff duties, then covers monitoring patients, ear protection, emergency steps, and handling codes or quench events safely in the MRI area.
ACR MRI safety zones I–IV layoutControlled access and staff responsibilitiesScreening before zone III and IV entryHearing protection selection and fittingPhysiologic monitoring and alarms in MRIEmergency response, code and quench plansLesson 4Common MRI Artifacts and Their Impact on Reading: Motion, Susceptibility, Chemical Shift, and FixesThis lesson describes typical MRI artifacts, their causes and looks, focusing on motion, susceptibility, and chemical shift, then offers ways to spot, lessen, or use them for better image reading.
Patient motion and ghosting artifactsFlow and pulsation artifacts in neuro MRIMagnetic susceptibility and metal artifactsChemical shift and India ink artifactsAliasing, wraparound, and truncationSequence and parameter tweaks to reduce artifactsLesson 5Basics of MRI Signal Creation: Hydrogen Atoms, T1 and T2 Relaxation, Proton Density, and Contrast WaysThis lesson introduces MRI signals from hydrogen atoms, Larmor precession, and resonance, then covers T1 and T2 relaxation, proton density, and how they create contrast in clinical MRI scans.
Hydrogen nuclei, spin, and Larmor frequencyRF excitation, resonance, and signal inductionT1 relaxation and longitudinal recoveryT2 relaxation and transverse decayProton density and its role in contrastFactors influencing overall image contrastLesson 6Preparing Patients for MRI of Bones, Joints, and Brain (Positioning, Coils, Supports, Comfort Tips)This lesson details prep for bone, joint, and brain MRI, including screening, positioning, coil selection, supports, and comfort methods to boost image quality and cut motion, worry, and redo scans.
Pre‑exam screening and patient educationPositioning for spine and brain MRIPositioning for joints and extremity MRICoil selection and placement optimizationImmobilization devices and motion controlComfort, anxiety reduction, and sedationLesson 7MRI Safety Screening: Magnetic Metal Dangers, Implants, Pacemakers, and Questionnaire ProcessThis lesson outlines MRI screening steps, stressing magnetic metal risks, implants, and heart devices, and how to read labels, handle conditional implants, and record clearance choices.
Ferromagnetic object and projectile risksStandard MRI safety questionnaire itemsPacemakers and cardiac device categoriesMR Safe, MR Conditional, MR Unsafe labelsHandling aneurysm clips and neurostimulatorsDocumentation and communication of clearanceLesson 8Key MRI Sequences for Bones, Joints, and Brain: T1, T2, FLAIR, DWI, GRE/SWI, Proton Density, STIRThis lesson reviews main MRI sequences for bone, joint, and brain imaging, describing contrast traits, common uses, and limits of T1, T2, FLAIR, DWI, GRE or SWI, proton density, and STIR.
T1‑weighted sequences and main indicationsT2‑weighted and fluid‑sensitive imagingFLAIR for parenchymal and CSF pathologyDWI and ADC for acute ischemia and tumorsGRE and SWI for blood and calcificationPD and STIR in joint and marrow evaluation
