Abdominal Radiology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is based in modern, well-equipped facilities at the University of Michigan Hospitals and East Ann Arbor facility.
A total of six scanners are housed at the main University Hospital and the East Ann Arbor outpatient clinic. Three 1.5 Tesla (T) General Electric Systems, one Philips 1.5T and two 3T Philips systems (one 3T dedicated for research imaging). They include advanced pulse sequences, including echo planar, functional MR, MR angiography, and spectroscopy. In addition, additional magnets are dedicated to research, including one 2.0T animal imager and a 7.0T small bore system.
The abdominal MR subdivision provides a full range of MR examinations of the abdomen and pelvis, including standard evaluation of known or suspected masses in the liver, spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands and kidneys. Because the University of Michigan Hospital is a leader in liver diseases and liver transplantation, high quality dynamic liver studies are routinely performed and interpreted. High resolution 3D Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) studies of the biliary and pancreatic ducts are performed. MR enterography for the evaluation of Crohn's disease and other gastrointestinal diseases are performed. In conjunction with the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Division, the Abdominal Division performs and interprets the MR angiography studies of the abdominal, pelvic and lower extremity vasculature. Characterization of known or suspected uterine anomalies is commonly performed. All of the clinical MR scanners are state-of-the-art 1.5 and 3 Tesla units.
Faculty in the MR subdivision participate in multispecialty tumor boards including liver, GI tumor, pancreas and adrenal glands.
Our facility is unique in providing state-of-the-art clinical magnetic resonance imaging in an attractive and state-of-the-art hospital setting, closely coupled with a superb basic science program dealing with all aspects of magnetic resonance imaging, contrast agent development, and data image processing.
In addition to a dedicated abdominal MR imaging fellowship, the division offers a fellowship in abdominal CT / MR / ultrasound / intervention as part of a combined cross-sectional Imaging Fellowship.
In our extensive research program, we perform research studies using uniquely developed, innovative pulse sequences for spectroscopy, vascular imaging, diffusion / perfusion imaging, and functional MR. Several full-time research physicists specialize in MRI as part of our faculty; in addition, a full-time Philips scientist develops and optimizes sequences for the clinical and research Philips scanners.
Both clinical and research fellows play a major role. Clinical fellows, including the dedicated abdominal MRI fellow and the abdominal cross-sectional imaging fellows spend most of their time learning the underlying principles and clinical application of MRI necessary to optimally prescribe and interpret MR images and participate in research projects. The dedicated abdominal MRI fellow is expected to be able to direct a state-of-the-art MR imaging facility on completion of training and to participate in and complete at least one research project.
