FEBRUARY 2014 • Vol. 3, Issue 1


63rd Home Study Discusses Imaging Sequences

Anne Marie Sawyer, B.S., R.T.(R)(MR), FSMRT
Editor

"Since its introduction more than half a century ago, the use of steady state free precession (SSFP) has become increasingly popular, and a huge number of SSFP imaging methods have been described so far. In general, the term "SSFP" imbeds all steady state sequences and variants thereof, because it just denotes the most basic SSFP principle, as introduced in 1958 by Carr." From that article published in Physical Review, H.Y. Carr explains, “The net nuclear moment is considered in a steady-state because in periods of time equal to or shorter than the spin relaxation times it does not undergo changes in amplitude comparable to its maximum amplitude."

We are pleased to present the SMRT Educational Seminars, Volume 17, Number 1: “Foundation of MRI: Imaging Sequences.” This is the 63rd accredited home study developed by the SMRT, exclusively for SMRT members. The accreditation is conducted by the SMRT acting as a RCEEM (Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism) for the ARRT. Category A credits are assigned to each home study, which can be used to maintain one’s ARRT advanced registry. SMRT Home Studies are also approved for AIR (Australian Institute of Radiography), NZIMRT (New Zealand Institute of Radiation Technology) and CPD Now (The College of Radiographers, United Kingdom) continuing professional development (CPD) activities.

Two peer-reviewed articles have been chosen for this home study issue. It is the 'magic' contained in these two articles that originally lured me to MRI and has kept me challenged ever since. The authors of the first, Spin Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging, begin their article from a historical perspective: "The spin echo sequence is one of the fundamental pulse sequences in MR and was introduced by Hahn in 1950 - a long time before the MR imaging (MRI) era began." This comprehensive review articles includes discussions regarding spin echo formation and imaging, and the various methods in which tissue contrast can be manipulated through techniques and scan parameter modification.

In the second article, Fundamentals of Balanced Steady State Free Precession MRI, the authors provide an in depth review of signal formation via a train of RF pulses and the evolution of the magnetization. As with the first article, the authors remind us that the imaging sequences we use daily were developed long before MRI became a clinical reality. "Since its introduction more than half a century ago, the use of steady state free precession (SSFP) has become increasingly popular, and a huge number of SSFP imaging methods have been described so far. In general, the term 'SSF' imbeds all steady state sequences and variants thereof, because it just denotes the most basic SSFP principle, as introduced in 1958 by Carr." From that article published in Physical Review, H.Y. Carr explains, “The net nuclear moment is considered in a steady-state because in periods of time equal to or shorter than the spin relaxation times it does not undergo changes in amplitude comparable to its maximum amplitude.”

A special thank you to Colleen Hammond, R.T.(R)(MR) from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, for acting as the Expert Reviewer. Thanks also to Heidi Berns, M.S., R.T.(R)(MR), FSMRT, Chair of the SMRT RCEEM Ad-hoc committee from Coralville, Iowa, USA and all those who participate on this committee by reviewing the home studies for accreditation. Finally, many thanks to Jennifer Olson, Associate Executive Director, Mary Keydash, Publications Director, Linda O-Brown, SMRT Coordinator, Sally Moran, Director of Electronic Communications and the entire staff in the Berkeley, California, USA office of the ISMRM and SMRT for their insight and long hours spent supporting these educational symposia.