MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
An imaging technique using magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues. MRI is the standard for imaging pituitary tumours (acromegaly, Cushing's disease), assessing brain structure in neurological conditions, and evaluating soft tissue injuries relevant to tissue repair research.
Technical Context
MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to align and detect hydrogen nuclei in water and fat. Advantages: no ionising radiation, excellent soft tissue contrast, multiplanar imaging. MRI is the primary imaging for: pituitary adenomas (T1-weighted with gadolinium contrast — microadenomas appear as hypointense foci; sensitivity approximately 90% for macroadenomas), brain disorders (MS — FLAIR sequences detect white matter lesions; neurodegenerative diseases — hippocampal atrophy), soft tissue injuries (tendon/ligament assessment relevant to tissue repair peptide research), and body composition (MRI-based volumetric fat quantification — most accurate method for visceral fat measurement, used in metabolic drug trials). Limitations: cost, availability, claustrophobia, contraindications (pacemakers, ferromagnetic implants), and long acquisition times. MRI enterography is used for small bowel Crohn's disease assessment (relevant to SBS patients treated with teduglutide).