Totally Accessible MRI: A User's Guide to Principles, Technology, and Applications [Paperback]

Michael L. Lipton (Author), E. Kanal (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0387488952 | ISBN-13: 978-0387488950 | Edition: 1

This practical guide offers an accessible introduction to the principles of MRI physics. Each chapter explains the why and how behind MRI physics. Readers will understand how altering MRI parameters will have many different consequences for image quality and the speed in which images are generated. Practical topics, selected for their value to clinical practice, include progressive changes in key MRI parameters, imaging time, and signal to noise ratio. A wealth of high quality illustrations, complemented by concise text, enables readers to gain a thorough understanding of the subject without requiring prior in-depth knowledge.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews:

"This book presents a nonmathematical introduction to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), covering all major topics … . The author, an expert in body MRI, has covered the major topics that are relevant for residents, physicians, students, and technologists. … Overall, this is a good introduction that will be useful for people entering the MRI field; the nonmathematical derivations can be grasped easily. The step-by-step pulse sequence breakdown is useful and interested readers will be able to seek the further information without any difficulty." (Michael A. Jacobs, Doody’s Review Service, September, 2008)

“Totally Accessible MRI provides an introduction to the principles of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging physics and practical use of MR imaging technology. … It will probably be most useful to residents beginning their MR rotations particularly those with an interest in neuroradiology. It also provides a concise review for my one interested in a deeper understanding of MR imaging and it is likely that even expert users will pick up a few pearls along the way.” (James F. Glockner, Radiology, Vol. 255 (2), May, 2010)

From the Back Cover

This practical guide offers a lucid introduction to the principles of MRI physics. The author, recognized in the imaging community for his exceptional teaching methods and lectures, has written an easy to understand text. Each chapter explains the "why" and "how" behind MRI. Readers will understand how altering MRI parameters will have many different consequences for image quality and the speed in which images are generated. Practical topics, selected for their value to clinical practice, include progressive changes in key MRI parameters, imaging time, and signal to noise ratio. A wealth of high quality illustrations, complemented by concise text, enables readers to gain a thorough understanding of the subject without requiring prior in-depth knowledge.

Product Details

• Paperback: 406 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (February 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387488952
• ISBN-13: 978-0387488950
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #961,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise & readable. The ONLY book you will need for the registry or full understanding of MRI., November 20, 2010

By 

MR(I). HIGGS BOSON "DG" (NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Totally Accessible MRI: A User's Guide to Principles, Technology, and Applications (Paperback)

"Totally Accessible MRI" is, from start to finish, an eloquent and concise guide to the true principles of MRI you will need to know for the registry or, simply, a better understanding of your occupation. Lipton incorporates a bit of humor, simple-yet-effective diagrams, and a clear & logical analysis of MRI. The layout of the book perfect.

I've read a plethora of MRI-related textbooks including (but not limited to): MIC Modules, Berlex Modules, most of the "Springer" series (i.e., "How does MRI Work", "Clinical Cardiac MRI", & "Clinical MR Imaging", etc.); MRI in Practice (Roth & Westbrook), MRI from Picture to Proton, etc. Well, you get the point. I've had the opportunity to read and evaluate these texts for their strengths and weakness. In addition, I read the pertinent information related to new imaging techniques from our GE MR450W Manual. In all honesty, "Totally Accessible MRI" is THE book to read for the best understanding of MRI. Aside from reading the manual for our specific MRI unit, the rest of the books/modules were a waste of time.

All that being said, I found "Totally Accessible MRI" to be the ultimate study reference. Many of the others were either too simplistic ("How Does MRI Work"), irrelevant to the registry ("Clinical Cardiac MRI"), directed more for radiologists or nerds like myself ("Clinical MR Imaging - where 100+ pages related to MR physics, the other 700 pages being about pathology, diagnosis, & analysis [excellent book nonetheless]). Time and time again I found myself coming right back to "Totally Accessible MRI" for an understanding of what the other failed to articulate.

I am being completely honest when I say you could purchase this book alone and easily pass the registry. You could argue that I gained an understanding of MRI from all the references listed above, but the truth is they either bored me to death or skimmed over the essentials. Mr. Lipton was not afraid to incorporate a tiny bit of quantum physics in his first chapter ... but DON'T let that deter you from this book as it is minimal (a paragraph or two) and ONLY the content all the other books were too afraid to include because of the instinctual fear of this subject.

The only complaint I have about this book is the binding. The paperback version came unglued at the binding and many of the pages are now loose. I don't know if they make a hardcover version (please consider this option Springer/Mr. Lipton), but that would be the only thing I would change if I had to start all over again in my quest for a complete understanding of MRI.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Informative, and Easy to Understand, July 9, 2008

By 

Yvonne Lui (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Totally Accessible MRI: A User's Guide to Principles, Technology, and Applications (Paperback)

Great book. Michael Lipton really delivers on his promise to make the difficult topic of MRI accessible, understandable, and even fun. You don't need a math or physics background to appreciate this conversational yet in-depth tour of the technology behind one of the greatest medical advances of our time. Might be of interest to a wide array of people including radiologists, residents, fellows, technologists, students, and anyone interested in science and technology.