Dear MRI Insider,
Safety is the buzzword in this installment of the MRI Insider. First, this edition's Insider Exclusive is all about performing MR exams on neonates and pre-term babies. A U.K. group from the University of Sheffield and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital tried out a portable MR-compatible incubator for scanning seven neonates, ages two days to four months.
While the MR exams, in conjunction with an MR-friendly incubator, pinpointed neurological deficiencies, these tiny patients must be closely watched, both by clinicians and by monitoring equipment. To read more about the expanding role of MR imaging in defining neonatal neurodevelopment, click here.
On a similar note, two quality assurance committees of the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society have recommended that infants who show signs of motor control disorders on physical exam undergo imaging to confirm abnormalities. In particular, they suggest using MRI as a way to finalize diagnosis of cerebral palsy or its associated disorders.
Speaking of expert advice, another article featured in our MRI Digital Community offers a seven-step guide for performing MRI or MR angiography on patients with pacemakers. As with infants, these patients require particular care and attention.
Finally, be sure to visit the MRI Digital Community next week for pertinent reports from the American Roentgen Ray Society meeting in Miami Beach, FL.
