INVESTIGATING THE ORIGIN OF CONTRAST IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING MONTE CARLO SIMULATION

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical diagnostic technique that creates images of the body using the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance. MRl enables the imaging of anatomy as well as function and chemical composition within the human body. It can be used alone or in the presence of endogenous or exogenous contrast agents to improve the sensitivity and/or specificity of the diagnosis. The types of contrast agents usually employed in MRl are composed of paramagnetic materials that help enhance tissue discrimination in the acquired images. The mechanisms by which such contrast agents work as well as their limitations have been the focus of several studies to try to fully understand the resultant signal changes and the factors affecting this process as well as to improve the design of such agents.