Magnetic Resonance Imaging : Physical Principles and Applications

This book is intended as a text/reference for students, researchers, and professors interested in physical and biomedical applications of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Both the theoretical and practical aspects of MRI are emphasized. The book begins with a comprehensive discussion of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) phenomenon based on quantum mechanics and the classical theory of electromagnetism. The first three chapters of this book provide the foundation needed to understand the basic characteristics of MR images, e.g.,image contrast, spatial resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, common image artifacts. Then MRI applications are considered in the following five chapters. Both the theoretical and practical aspects of MRI are emphasized. The book ends with a discussion of instrumentation and the principles of signal detection in MRI.Clear progression from fundamental physical principles of NMR to MRI and its applicationsExtensive discussion of image acquisition and reconstruction of MRIDiscussion of different mechanisms of MR image contrastMathematical derivation of the signal-to-noise dependence on basic MR imaging parameters as well as field strengthIn-depth consideration of artifacts in MR imagesComprehensive discussion of several techniques used for rapid MR imaging including rapid gradient-echo imaging, echo-planar imaging, fast spin-echo imaging and spiral imagingQualitative discussion combined with mathematical description of MR techniques for imaging flow