MRI of the Head

Mastering the fundamentals of MRI of the brain and other head structures is essential for radiologic technologists committed to delivering accurate and high-quality imaging. This comprehensive course provides everything you need to confidently perform an MRI procedure, offering a complete understanding of the procedure from start to finish. The “MRI of the Head” course begins by building a solid head anatomy and physiology foundation, guiding you through the brain, internal auditory canal, orbits, sinuses, and vascular structures. You’ll gain skills to correlate this anatomy with real MRI images across different planes, enhancing your ability to visualize and assess key structures.

Moving beyond anatomy, the course dives into the clinical indications for ordering an MRI of the brain and other head structures and explores contraindications and special considerations, such as unique approaches for pediatric, geriatric, bariatric, and trauma patients. From there, you’ll learn the essentials of patient preparation, positioning, and the use of surface coils to ensure optimal imaging outcomes. Detailed explanations of imaging protocols for each head structure—including the brain, internal auditory canal, orbit, sinuses, and vascular imaging like MRA and MRV—will teach you how to adapt techniques to account for size and orientation differences.

You’ll also tackle common challenges in imaging by learning to identify and avoid artifacts such as motion, susceptibility, and chemical shift artifacts. The course concludes with an exploration of pathologies, including tumors, vascular abnormalities, degenerative diseases, infections, and trauma, offering insights into their appearance on real MRI images. Whether you’re looking to expand your expertise or refine your skills, this course equips you with the knowledge to perform an MRI of the brain and other head structures with confidence and precision.