Lesson 1Use of gadolinium-based contrast agents: indications, contraindications, and NSF risk mitigationThis section reviews gadolinium contrast pharmacology, indications, and dosing, then details contraindications, NSF risk factors, screening, and strategies to minimize risk while preserving diagnostic image quality and clinical value.
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 2Sequence selection and parameter adjustments to trade image contrast, spatial resolution, and scan timeThis section covers how sequence choice and parameter settings influence contrast, spatial resolution, and scan time, teaching practical trade‑offs using TR, TE, flip angle, FOV, matrix, and parallel imaging in routine 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 3Safety zones, zone access control, and patient monitoring inside MRI (hearing protection, emergency response)This section defines MRI safety zones, access control policies, and staff roles, then covers patient monitoring, hearing protection, emergency procedures, and safe response to code events or quench situations within the MRI environment.
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 4Artifacts in MRI and how they affect interpretation: motion, susceptibility, chemical shift, and their mitigationThis section explains common MRI artifacts, their physical causes, and appearance, focusing on motion, susceptibility, and chemical shift, then presents practical strategies to recognize, reduce, or exploit artifacts for accurate image interpretation.
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 5Basic MRI signal formation: hydrogen nuclei, T1 and T2 relaxation, proton density, and image contrast mechanismsThis section introduces MRI signal formation from hydrogen nuclei, Larmor precession, and resonance, then explains T1 and T2 relaxation, proton density, and how these mechanisms combine to generate image contrast in clinical MRI.
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 6Patient preparation for MRI musculoskeletal and neuro exams (positioning, coils, immobilization, and comfort measures)This section details patient preparation for musculoskeletal and neuro MRI, including screening, positioning, coil choice, immobilization, and comfort strategies, to optimize image quality while minimizing motion, anxiety, and repeat 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: ferromagnetic hazards, implants, pacemakers, and the safety questionnaire workflowThis section outlines MRI safety screening workflows, emphasizing ferromagnetic hazards, implants, and cardiac devices, and explains how to interpret device labeling, manage conditional implants, and document clearance decisions.
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 8Common MRI sequences relevant to musculoskeletal and neuro imaging: T1-weighted, T2-weighted, FLAIR, DWI, GRE/SWI, proton density, and STIRThis section reviews core MRI sequences used in musculoskeletal and neuro imaging, describing contrast characteristics, typical clinical uses, and limitations of T1, T2, FLAIR, DWI, GRE or SWI, proton density, and STIR sequences.
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
