MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

Lesson title: PULSE SEQUENCES Materials:

Electronic gadget, pen, & notebook
Learning Targets:
At the end of the module, students will be able to: References:
1. Define the pulse sequence in MRI;
2. Identify each parameters involved in pulse sequences; Hornak, J. P. (2020). The basics of MRI.
3. List down the groupings of pulse sequences in MRI https://www.cis.rit.edu/htbooks/mri/inside.htm
scanning;
4. Describe the protocols applied in pulse sequences of MRI; Murphy, A. (20 April, 2020). MRI pulse
5. Analyze the basics of image acquisition; and, sequences.
6. Describe the diagram presented in pulse sequence. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/mri-pulse-
sequences-1

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

Let us have a quick review of what you have learned from the previous session. Kindly answer the posted task/question
on the space provided. You may use the back page of this sheet, if necessary.

Describe how the slice selection works in MRI scanning.

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B. MAIN LESSON

MRI PULSE SEQUENCE

 This is a programmed set of changing magnetic gradients.
o Each sequence will have a number of parameters, and multiple sequences grouped together into an MRI
protocol.
 It is the measurement technique by which an MR image is obtained.
 As implemented by most manufacturers, the pulse sequence actually executed during the measurement is
defined from parameters directly selected by the operator and variables defined in template files.

 A pulse sequence is generally defined by multiple parameters, including:

o time to echo (TE)
- refers to the time between the application of the radiofrequency excitation pulse and the peak of
the signal induced in the coil; it is measured in milliseconds
- the amount of T2 relaxation is controlled by the TE

o time to repetition (TR)

- the time from the application of an excitation pulse to the application of the next pulse
- it determines how much longitudinal magnetization recovers between each pulse; measured in
milliseconds

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 MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

o flip angle
- an MRI phenomenon by which the axis of the hydrogen proton shifts from its longitudinal plane
(static magnetic field B0) Z axis to its transverse plane XY axis by excitation with the help of
radiofrequency (RF) pulses
- a RF pulse is sent in at the precise Larmor frequency in relation to the gyromagnetic ratio and
magnetic field strength

o field of view and matrix size

- FOV is defined by the size of two- or three-dimensional spatial encoding area of the MRI image
- matrix size is the number of frequency encoding steps, in one direction

o inversion pulse(s)
- are a type of MRI sequence used to selectively null the signal for certain tissues (e.g. fat or fluid)
- can also generate heavily T1-weighted images and was originally developed for this purpose

o spoiler gradient(s) (crusher gradients)

- the FLASH technique for fast MR imaging often employs strong magnetic field gradients, called
spoiler gradients, to dephase the transverse magnetization after it has been measured

o echo train length (ETL)

- this is the number of echoes acquired in a given TR interval; also known as turbo factor
- it typically ranges from 4 to 32 for routine imaging, but may exceed 200 for rapid imaging/echo
planar techniques

o the spatial acquisition of k-space

o 3D acquisition vs. 2D acquisition vs. multiple overlapping slab acquisition

o post contrast imaging with gadolinium contrast agents

o diffusion weighting (b values)

- it is a form of MR imaging based upon measuring the random Brownian motion of water
molecules within a voxel of tissue
- in general simplified terms, highly cellular tissues or those with cellular swelling exhibit lower
diffusion coefficients
- diffusion is particularly useful in tumor characterization and cerebral ischemia

 Different combinations of these parameters affect tissue contrast and spatial resolution.
 MRI sequences can be grouped in a number of ways.
o Probably most accurately they are grouped according to the type of sequence (e.g. spin echo, or
inversion recovery etc.); however, for non-radiologists, another way of grouping sequences is by general
image weighting (e.g. T1 or T2) and additional features (e.g. fat suppressed or gadolinium enhanced).

 Pulse sequences can be broadly grouped as follows:

o spin echo sequences
o inversion recovery sequences
o gradient echo sequences
o diffusion weighted sequences
o saturation recovery sequences

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 MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

o echo-planar pulse sequences

o spiral pulse sequences

 Multiple sequences are usually needed to adequately evaluate a tissue, and the combination of sequences is
referred to as a MRI protocol.
 It is good practice to review departmental or institutional protocols on a regular basis.

 There are some general principles of protocol design for each area.
o However, the specifics of a protocol are dependent on:
 MRI hardware and software
 radiologist's & referrer's preference
 patient factors (e.g. allergy)
 time constraints

 The implementation of protocols has three chief purposes:

o maximizing diagnostic quality
o delivery of consistency in scan quality
o efficient and effective radiology service delivery

This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION

 MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

Check for Understanding

After studying the main lesson, you may now answer the following multiple choice questions and provide the rationale for
each item.

1. This refers to the time from the application of an excitation pulse to the application of the next pulse.
a. time to echo c. flip angle
b. time to repetition d. inversion pulse
Answer: ________
Rationale:
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This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION

 MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

2. All are groupings in pulse sequences, except:

a. diffusion weighted sequences
b. saturation response sequences
c. echo-planar pulse sequences
d. spiral pulse sequences
Answer: ________
Rationale:
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3. In image acquisition, what comes prior to spatial encoding?

a. Preparatory stuff
b. Excite tissue
c. Data readout
d. Reconstruction
Answer: ________
Rationale:
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4. This is defined by the size of 2D or 3D spatial encoding area of the MRI image.
a. FOV
b. ETL
c. TR
d. TE
Answer: ________
Rationale:
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5. All are specific protocols in MRI scanning, except:

a. MRI hardware
b. MRI software
c. Time constraints
d. Service delivery
Answer: ________
Rationale:
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This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION

 MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

C. LESSON WRAP-UP

Thinking about Learning

CAT 3-2-1
This strategy provides a structure for you to record your own comprehension and summarize your learning. Let us see
your progress in this lesson!

Three things you learned:

1. ________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________________________

Two things that you’d like to learn more about:

1. _______________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________________

One question you still have:

1. ________________________________________________________________________________________

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