From the Guidelines
Transcranial Magnetic Resonance (MRI) is effective in certain clinical scenarios, particularly when used as a second-line test for altered mental status, coma, delirium, and psychosis, due to its higher sensitivity in detecting ischemia, encephalitis, or subtle cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) 1. When considering the use of MRI in clinical practice, it is essential to weigh the potential benefits against the risks and costs. The evidence suggests that MRI can be a valuable tool in the evaluation of patients with acute disorders of consciousness, as it can lead to changes in clinical management, revised diagnoses, and improved diagnostic confidence 1. Some key points to consider when using MRI in clinical practice include:
- MRI may be particularly useful in patients with suspected occult pathology, such as ischemia, encephalitis, or SAH, especially when initial head CTs are unrevealing 1.
- Noncontrast MRI examinations of the brain are usually sufficient in the assessment of intracranial complications related to hypertensive emergency, including posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome 1.
- In patients with new onset delirium, the reported yield of brain MRI is very low in the absence of a focal neurologic deficit or history of recent falls, but MRI may be helpful for further evaluation of an abnormality detected on noncontrast CT 1. Overall, the effectiveness of MRI depends on the specific clinical scenario, and its use should be guided by a thorough evaluation of the patient's symptoms, medical history, and other diagnostic findings 1.
From the Research
Effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Resonance (MRI)
There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to support the effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Resonance (MRI). However, the studies discuss the applications and benefits of MRI in various medical fields.
Applications of MRI
- MRI has many applications in the diagnosis of myocardial diseases, cancer of different tissues, neurological disorders, congenital heart disease, abdominal illnesses, complex bone fractures, and other serious medical conditions 2.
- MRI offers significant advantages, including excellent contrast and resolution and reduced ionizing radiation, as compared to well-established PET/CT 3, 4.
- PET/MRI is a promising modality for oncologic imaging of some regions, such as brain, head and neck, liver and pelvis 3, 5.
Hybrid Imaging Techniques
- PET/MRI is a novel hybrid imaging technique that combines the anatomic and quantitative strengths of MR imaging with physiologic information obtained from PET 3, 4, 5.
- PET/MRI has shown promise in various applications, including imaging in oncology, neurology, and cardiology 4.
- The potential of PET/MRI to become the imaging modality of choice for assessment of neurologic and oncologic conditions associated with soft tissues is highlighted 3.