By Vanessa Sulina
Photos ASA 400 Studio
For the first time, JPR hosted the ISMRM – International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Course. The meeting covered a wide range of technical and clinical topics in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), from basic fundamentals to advanced applications. Three experienced speakers were invited to participate in JPR and deliver the educational sessions. All of them have extensive experience in teaching clinicians, scientists and technologists.
One of the course coordinators and deputy head of LIM44 (Magnetic Resonance Laboratory in Neuroradiology at HCFMUSP), Maria Concepción Garcia Otaduy, explained the course was a great opportunity for the topic to gain more traction in Brazil.
“ISMRM is a very important global society, but it is little known in Brazil. The interesting thing is they bring together the clinical and technical aspects, including physicists, scientists and engineers. We want it to gain momentum, as we are major consumers of magnetic resonance imaging. I am excited that from here on we will gain more critical mass.”
One of the renowned names leading the course was the physicist specializing in resonance and professor of radiology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, United States, Dr. Houchun Harry Hu, responsible for three classes.
In the opening lecture, he gave an overview of the fundamentals of MRI physics. The second lecture focused on quantitative imaging biomarkers derived from MRI, technical considerations, and their use in clinical trials. To close, the expert provided a more in-depth look at a specific quantitative imaging biomarker, focusing on water-fat MRI, summarizing how it can be used in assessments of body adiposity, quantification of fat in organs, and studies on obesity and metabolism.
Hardware and quantitative imaging were the topics of Dr. Martin J. Grave’s lectures on physics and resonance imaging at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. He also discussed the principles of various techniques used to acquire Magnetic Resonance Angiograms (MRA), including non-contrast and contrast-enhanced methods.
Attendees also had the opportunity to learn a little more from Dr. Ian Mark, the Chief of MRI in Neuroradiology at the Mayo Clinic in the US. First, he gave a focused review of artifacts aimed at practicing radiologists and discussed clinical applications and updates in neuroimaging. In one of his lectures, he discussed state-of-the-art pituitary imaging and highlighted new techniques.
In an interview with the SPR website, Dr. Mark took the opportunity to praise the JPR and stated that he was “impressed with the organization and engagement of the public”. According to the speaker, the level of work in magnetic resonance imaging in Brazil is very high. “I had the opportunity to make connections with people I want to collaborate with and exchange information about protocols”, he concluded.
The meeting was also attended by the professor of radiology at the Universidad Nacional del Comahue, in Argentina, Dr. Sergio Moguillansky, who taught classes in the Neuroradiology module.
Opportunity to open doors
Dr. Harry Hu was grateful for the invitation to participate in this JPR edition. “The most important thing is that the content we provided was useful. And I hope it opens up opportunities for other ISMRM members and speakers to also come and contribute,” he commented. Dr. Grave added that this was his first time in Brazil and he would like to return: “The experience of teaching these classes and meeting Brazilian colleagues was fantastic,” he said.
Check out the statement from course coordinator Edson Amaro Jr. and the attendees’ impressions about the course:
