Magnetic Resonance Imaging - the Basics

Duration

15h Th, 3d FW

Number of credits

Lecturer

Evelyne Balteau

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

I. The origin of the NMR signal - magnetic properties of the nuclei - magnetic resonance phenomenon - relaxation
II. Basic sequences and contrasts - contrast: T1, T2, proton density - spin-echo, gradient-echo and inversion-recovery sequences
III. Spatial encoding - Fourier transform - slice selection, phase encoding, frequency encoding - k-space and gradients: sampling strategies and trajectories - image reconstruction - parallel imaging
IV. Quality assurance and artifacts
V. MRI facilities and related equipment - technical description - safety issues
VI. Applications and advanced techniques - structural imaging and advanced contrasts - functional imaging and BOLD effect - phase contrast and susceptibility-weighted imaging - flow phenomenon: MR angiography - diffusion and perfusion imaging - in vivo spectroscopy

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

To give a general overview of the MRI technique, its advantages, limitations and current developments. To illustrate the role of a physicist or engineer in an MRI research and clinical environment. Theory: physical and mathematical principles of the NMR signal and basic principles of space encoding and image reconstruction. In practice: overview of clinical and research applications, advantages and limitations of the technique, future developments. Scanning session on the 3T Prisma scanner at the Cyclotron Research Centre: data acquisition and visualization, real-time functional imaging, description of the MRI facilities and related equipment, safety issues.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Physics, general knowledge. Basic knowledge in quantum physics and signal processing. Please contact Evelyne Balteau (e.balteau@ulg.ac.be) for further detail.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Recommended or required readings

Reference articles, books and slides are in English.
Reference book, available as PDF from the ULg network: Matt A. Bernstein et al., Handbook of MRI Pulse Sequences, 2004. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780120928613

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral exam

Work placement(s)

No "work placement" scheduled as such for this course. Work experience or master thesis opportunities available though, for those who want to have a closer, more practical look or a deeper understanding of MR physics in clinics and research.

Organizational remarks

Course given in English

Contacts

Evelyne BALTEAU
Centre de Recherches du Cyclotron
Allée du 6 Août, 8 (B30)
4000 Liège

Tel.: +32 4 366 23 66
Fax: +32 4 366 29 46
Email: e.balteau@ulg.ac.be

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