AuntMinnie.com MRI Insider

Dear MRI Insider,

In the campy 1960s TV series "Lost in Space," it was a safe bet that the robot would issue the following warning at least once per episode: "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" If only such a robot (newly revamped to be ferromagnetically friendly, of course) could be counted on to do the same around the MR suite.

As MRI technology rockets along, concerns about the modality's safety and security must also maintain warp speed. Fortunately, the MRI Digital Community offers a host of articles to keep you up-to-date on the latest in MR safety, starting with a report from the 2006 Society for Medical Innovation and Technology (SMIT) meeting on planned regulatory upgrades. Also, check out several articles from Junk Architects on MR acoustics; designing pediatric MR suites; magnet room doors and quench entrapment; and finally, MR cryogen safety and magnetic room entrapment.

Shifting gears, you'll also find two articles on neuroimaging. The first, from the 2006 American Association of Neurological Surgeons meeting, focuses on brain stem lesions in comatose head trauma patients. The second, from the Pediatric Academic Societies conference, describes how MRI can answer many of the questions surrounding term infants who may have sustained perinatal brain injuries.

Last but not least, we offer our Insider Exclusive, which highlights three studies on the value of MRI for assessing the myocardium in all its states. Click here to read more.