Runge VM, Nitz WR, Trelles M, et al. The Physics of Clinical MR Taught Through Images. 3rd Ed. Thieme; 2013; 288 pgs; $64.99.
For a clinical radiologist, understanding MR physics is a challenge and becomes even more so as new MR techniques and updated software programs become integrated into our daily work routine.
In this 288-page softcover book, The Physics of Clinical MR Taught Through Images, written by Drs. Runge, Nitz (PhD), Trelles, and Goerner (PhD), 123 topics, each of approximately 2 pages in length, address virtually all pertinent issues in the physics of MR. As the title indicates, each subject is accompanied by appropriate images and, as would be needed to clarify certain principles, there are diagrams, tables, pulse sequencing charts, anatomic drawings. The last 2 pages of the book list the acronyms used by the 3 major MR vendors (Siemens, GE, and Philips) in describing various pulse sequence. Because most neuroradiologists tend to work with one vendor, it is frequently puzzling when another vendor’s acronym is used in a paper (I did not know, for example, that the equivalent of VIBE was LAVA-Flex and THRIVE, or that the equivalent of CISS was FIESTA-C, or b FFE). Actually, I copied this table and have it sitting on my desk for easy reference.
Getting back to the major content, there are six sections (Hardware, Basic Imaging Physics, Basic Image Acquisition Strategies, Advanced Image Acquisition Strategies, Artifact Reduction Strategies, Improving Image Quality). Some content is applicable to all radiology, such as minimizing metal artifacts, chemical shift, motion reduction, pMR, MRA, phase imaging, safety, etc, and some content pertains basically to neuroradiology, such as BOLD imaging and DTI, among others.
This is an extremely useful book. It allows one to clearly see and appreciate virtually all the physics involved in MR, without going into elaborate detail. The minor downside for someone wanting a very in-depth description is that additional reading would be necessary (that certainly does not apply to the vast majority of clinical radiologists).
One thing the authors may wish to do in future editions is to indicate what particular sequence or program is available on which scanner. As we know, these programs vary from vendor to vendor. So, for example, in minimizing metal artifacts, are all the techniques mentioned (SEMAC, VAT) universally available? This suggestion holds for other items mentioned throughout the book as well.
The Physics of Clinical MR Taught Through Images is highly recommended as a good way to develop a further understanding of MR physics.
