
BMJ
2004;328:1387-1388 (12 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7453.1387
Editorial
Whole body magnetic resonance imaging - A valuable adjunct to
clinical examination
When Lauterbur and Damadian described the application of magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) as a clinical imaging tool in the early
1970s the popular belief was that the technique would become
the ultimate screening tool for the whole body.1 2 However,
similar to other modalities limited by cost, acquisition times,
availability, and artefact produced by motion, it evolved as
a technique to image stationary body parts. Supported by technical
developments in the past decade, improved excitatory pulse sequences,
and faster methods of localising derived signal, and by increasing
awareness of the hazards of radiation imposed by traditional
techniques, the ability to use MRI as a rapid imaging tool for
the whole body has now been revisited.3-11 Reduced acquisition
times have been mirrored by a logical reduction in acquisition
costs, and the recent development of the moving MRI table top
has facilitated the clinical introduction of this technique
as a practical diagnostic tool.3
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