Letter from the Guest Editor

Article Outline

• Copyright

This issue of Seminars in Roentgenology is devoted to a discussion of commonly applied MRI technologies primarily for body imaging. Ten years ago, body MRI was widely practiced only in academic centers. Today, the MRI applications that are discussed in this chapter represent approaches that are becoming standard of care for certain disease processes.

These changes in the use of body MRI have come about primarily through the development of MRI pulse sequences that allow motion artifacts to be substantially reduced compared to prior generations of MRI scanners. Many of these sequences and techniques were previously applied to brain imaging. Specific adaptations either in imaging speed or adaptation to respiratory patterns allow body MRI to be both reliable and high quality.

In this issue, the authors present state-of-the art techniques for MRI of the pelvis, abdomen, breast and fetal anatomy and pathology. I would like to gratefully acknowledge the time and dedication of these authors, as well as the diligent production assistance at Cadmus and support and assistance from the series Editor, Dr. Jannette Collins. The reader will be well-rewarded by review of the comprehensive material presented in this issue of Seminars in Roentgenology.