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Journal of Neurology Research

Review

Volume 10, Number 5, October 2020, pages 173-176

Approach to Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Non-Radiologists

Interpreting brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a non-radiologist can often be intimidating at first glance due to the various considerations of sequences and parameters that must be made. Although non-radiologists generally have a greater exposure to head computed tomography (CT) images, the same foundational principles of CT head interpretation can apply to brain MRI reading [1]. With an appreciation of the basic normal anatomical structures, each MRI sequence can be assessed for how it changes the appearance of normal structures and abnormal findings. The goal of this review is to provide a systematic approach to brain MRI interpretation for non-radiologists. We will discuss the indications for a brain MRI, special considerations for non-radiologists, types of MRI sequences, and manifestations of common pathophysiology on brain MRI.

Common indications for a brain MRI include workup of an intracranial tumor, chronic headache, seizure disorder, and confirmation of a stroke.

When assessing for an intracranial tumor, MRI is the preferred diagnostic modality as CT has much lower resolution and is typically reserved for the emergency setting. MRI is more specific and sensitive for abnormalities within the brain itself due to providing a much more detailed depiction of the anatomy [2]. Chronic headache is another indication for a brain MRI. Chronic refers to a headache frequency of 15 or more days for longer than 3 months in the absence of an organic pathology. In patients with new daily persistent headache, hemicrania continua, cluster headache, and paroxysmal hemicrania, imaging is indicated to exclude a secondary cause of the headache. However, it should be noted that MRI findings identify a treatable cause of chronic headache in < 1% of cases [3]. In the evaluation of a first seizure in children and adults, MRI is useful to detect any structural abnormalities that can cause seizure disorders. This can include, but is not limited to infarcts, tumors, medial temporal lobe sclerosis, and cortical dysplasia. Finally, confirmation of a stroke is another common indication for a brain MRI. At many centers due to its widespread availability and faster scan times, non-contrast CT is the preferred imaging method for initial evaluation of a stroke, especially for intracranial hemorrhage. However, MRI with diffuse-weighted imaging is superior to non-contrast CT for earlier detection of acute ischemia and excluding stroke mimics. In one study of 135 patients with acute stroke who are screened for intravenous thrombolytic therapy, patients initially screened by MRI led to reduced door-to-needle times of ≤ 60 min [4].

There are various benefits and limitations for brain MRI that non-radiologists must consider. Benefits of brain imaging by MRI includes obtaining a multi-planar assessment of the brain, highly-detailed images of the brain, and using different MRI sequences to assess for different pathology [5]. Another major benefit of MRI is in children who are not exposed to any ionized radiation with MRI compared to CT imaging. However, there are several limitations as well. MRIs are not nearly as available compared to CT imaging at many centers. It requires a much longer investigation compared to CT and other imaging modalities, which can create problems for patients who may be claustrophobic. Due to their greater availability, patients have much shorter waiting times for CT imaging than MRI. Finally, there are several contraindications to obtaining a MRI such as metallic implants like pacemakers.

We will discuss a brief overview of the different sequences and images that can be seen with MRI using different pulses and signals. Whereas in CT imaging, the focus is on comparing the density of images, in MRI images are described by signal intensity. “Low signal intensity” images will appear dark while “high signal intensity” appears bright.

T1 weighted images provide anatomically relevant images of the brain parenchyma that will be familiar to non-radiologists [5]. Any fluid such as cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles or fluid in the orbits will appear dark. Air is nearly black. Gray matter will appear darker than white matter.

T2 weighted images are another standard sequence. In contrast to T1 weighted images, fluid is bright in T2 and white matter will appear darker than gray matter.

Fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) is another commonly used sequence. It appears similar to T2, but fluid is even darker. FLAIR is useful in identifying edema and inflammation. It can be useful in depicting the periventricular plaques that are indicative of multiple sclerosis.

Finally, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images show the movement of water in the brain. By describing the diffusion of water throughout the brain, findings such as stroke, abscesses, and tumors can be identified.

In T1 weighted images, tumors will appear dark with low signal intensity. Gadolinium contrast can be added to the T1 which will make a tumor or abscess appear bright. If a lesion has dark signal on T1, but bright signal on gadolinium contrast, it is “contrast enhancing” [6]. If only the edges are enhanced, it is a “ring enhancing” lesion such as a brain abscess [7].

T2 weighted images are more useful to evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which appears bright white while the brain parenchyma appears light gray. T2 sequence can be used to identify bright signal of edema around tumors, subacute stroke, or hemorrhage. In addition, it can be used to assess the size and symmetry of the ventricles as well as identify periventricular plaques or white matter changes in multiple sclerosis where demyelination appears as a bright signal in the white matter [7].

FLAIR is most sensitive for edema and parenchymal abnormalities like a low-grade glioma. Figure 1a-c compare MRI images of left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarct, with associated vasogenic edema compared to the same pathology on CT (Fig. 1d).

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Figure 1. (a) T2 image of left MCA territory infarct, with associated vasogenic edema. (b) FLAIR image of left MCA territory infarct, with associated vasogenic edema. (c) DWI image of left MCA territory infarct, with associated vasogenic edema. (d) CT image of left MCA territory infarct, with associated vasogenic edema. MCA: middle cerebral artery; FLAIR: fluid attenuation inversion recovery; DWI: diffusion-weighted imaging; CT: computed tomography.

As discussed earlier, the main purpose of DWI and ADC sequences are to visualize acute ischemic stroke. In a patient with stroke symptoms who has a CT performed that shows no signs of hemorrhage, the DWI will show the stroke as a bright signal while ADC will show the stroke as a dark signal. The difference between ischemic strokes with hemorrhagic transformation can be seen in MRI compared to CT (Figs. 2, 3).

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Figure 2. (a) DWI image of ischemic stroke with hemorrhagic transformation. (b) SWI image of ischemic stroke with hemorrhagic transformation. (c) T2 image of ischemic stroke with hemorrhagic transformation. DWI: diffusion-weighted imaging; SWI: susceptibility-weighted imaging.

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Figure 3. CT image of acute infarct in cerebellum and occipital lobe. CT: computed tomography.

While CT is the preferred imaging modality for hemorrhage, MRI is the study of choice for brain tumors, multiple sclerosis and ischemic stroke [6].

Acknowledgments

Images courtesy of Dr. Ali Seifi’s archives.

Financial Disclosure

None to declare.

Conflict of Interest

None to declare.

Author Contributions

Amir Taree conducted literature review. Amir Taree, Sahra Emamzadehfard, and Vahid Eslami contributed to the writing of the manuscript.

Data Availability

The authors declare that data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

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Journal of Neurology Research is published by Elmer Press Inc.