Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging: an overview

In past months, resolution on NMR studies has improved to the point that the images have sufficient anatomical information to rival those that are achieved by X-ray computed tomography. It has become apparent that NMR imaging can be utilized in clinical practice because of recent improvements in data acquisition time and spatial resolution. Additionally, those signals utilized to produce NMR images also contain unique tissue contrast information reflecting chemical and structural composition. NMR may represent a diagnostic technique of greater potential than the new imaging developments in digital radiography, pulsed Doppler real-time ultrasound, positron emission tomography, or computed X-ray tomography. (Auth.)