Proceedings of The British Institute of Radiology The impact of magnetic resonance imaging on imaging strategies: issues and future directions, 21 February 1989

Abstract

Since its introduction 10 years ago, proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the central nervous system has become accepted as an effective method of investigating a wide range of disorders of the brain and spine. However, the superiority of MRI over other techniques has not been clearly established for many common diagnostic problems and despite an extensive literature there are few rigorous, unbiased, prospective controlled trials comparing imaging techniques or assessing management changes and outcome status. Magnetic resonance imaging most clearly has advantages where computed tomography (CT) is degraded by bone hardening and streak artefacts, e.g. spine, skull base, posterior and temporal fossae, sella and parasellar regions.