Clinical nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

The authors discuss tissue characteristics as potentially observed and recorded by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. Several different pulse sequences are available to the NMR imaging physician and scientist. This results in a multitude of different NMR scan parameters each yielding significant tissue contrast differentiation, and it is essential to attempt to understand these differences on a theoretical and physical basis, as well as to extend this understanding to the biochemical and pathophysiological significance of the resulting changes in tissue contrast appearance. Comparisons with other modalities such as ultrasound and computed tomography are presented. (Auth.)