Magnetic resonance (MR) enterography (MRE) plays a pivotal role in the management of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) throughout the chronic disease process. With advantages such as its non-invasiveness and the ability to use several MR sequences to reflect findings of active inflammation, several MRE-based indices have been introduced to assess CD inflammatory activity. Although there is no universally accepted gold-standard score for clinical practice, the most studied scores include the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity, simplified Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity, Nancy score, Clermont score, London score, and CD MRI Index. These MRE-based scoring systems share certain characteristics but also differ in terms of the imaging parameters included, the bowel segments evaluated, and the MR sequences required for assessment. This review article covers the key MR findings of active inflammation incorporated into these scoring systems, along with the detailed characteristics and clinical applications of MRE-based scoring systems in adult patients with CD.

Conventional full-protocol breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes T2-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, consisting of pre-contrast and four to six post-contrast T1-weighted images. By contrast, abbreviated breast MRI consists of pre-contrast and a single post-contrast T1-weighted image as core sequences, along with reconstructed subtraction and maximum intensity projection images. Additional sequences, such as T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and a second postcontrast T1-weighted image, can be included in the abbreviated protocol based on user preferences; however, the recommended total acquisition time is less than 10 minutes.Using abbreviated MRI, the scan time is reduced, and MRI throughput increases, which can lower costs and improve accessibility. Moreover, the current evidence consistently suggests that the accuracy of abbreviated breast MRI in detecting breast cancer is comparable to that of full-protocol MRI. With these advantages, abbreviated breast MRI may be increasingly used for screening women at average to intermediate risk. This review discusses the background of abbreviated MRI, the results of clinical studies, and outstanding issues for future consideration.

Thymic diseases such as thymic hyperplasia, thymic cysts, thymoma, and thymic carcinoma are common causes of mediastinal masses that present with diverse clinical and radiological features. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a pivotal tool for evaluating thymic pathologies as it offers superior soft-tissue contrast and has the ability to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. Thymic MRI protocols include T1- and T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) with apparent diffusion coefficient mapping, and contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI), each offering unique diagnostic insights into the composition and behavior of thymic lesions. However, interpreting MRI findings in thymic diseases may present challenges. Thymic cysts containing hemorrhage or proteinaceous material may mimic solid lesions owing to altered signal intensities, necessitating DW-MRI and CE-MRI for accurate differentiation. Small thymic lesions, particularly those <1 cm in diameter, are susceptible to signal distortion and partial volume effects, complicating their detection and characterization. Furthermore, respiratory and cardiac motion artifacts can degrade the image quality and obscure important diagnostic details, especially in lesions near the heart and lungs. Despite these challenges, MRI remains a critical imaging modality for assessing and managing thymic diseases, offering detailed tissue characterization. Interpretive pitfalls and technical limitations underscore the importance of employing optimized imaging protocols and expert analyses to ensure diagnostic accuracy and guide appropriate clinical decision-making.

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive method available for detecting breast cancer, and its use in clinical practice is on the rise. Preoperative breast MRI plays a vital role in assessing the full extent of disease and identifying additional lesions in the contralateral breast that conventional imaging may overlook. These unexpected findings can lead to significant changes in treatment approaches and may ultimately affect long-term outcomes for patients. Despite this, the value of preoperative breast MRI for early-stage breast cancer patients remains a contentious issue. This review evaluates the existing literature on the influence of preoperative breast MRI on clinical outcomes in this patient population.

Purpose: Myocardial strain imaging is a promising tool for evaluating altered cardiac wall mechanics in thickened myocardium. Circumferential transmural strain difference (cTSD) can be readily measured using feature-tracking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aimed to explore the correlations between cTSD and other markers of disease in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM). Materials and Methods: A retrospective, single-center, case-control study was conducted on patients with ApHCM who underwent 1.5-T or 3.0-T cardiac MRI. Left ventricular (LV) longitudinal and circumferential strains were analyzed using feature-tracking software. cTSD was calculated as the difference between epicardial and endocardial circumferential strains. Global and segmental strains were compared between groups, and correlations between cTSD and LV mass or late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were analyzed. Results: A total of 29 participants (17 patients with ApHCM, median age 64 years, 71% men; 12 normal controls, median age 55 years, 67% men) were evaluated. Global and segmental cTSD were significantly higher in the ApHCM group than in the normal group from the base to the apex, with the greatest differences at the apex (base 19.6% vs.16.1%, mid 24.5% vs. 16.9%, and apex 36.8% vs. 21.6%, all p < 0.05). Global cTSD showed a moderate positive correlation with indexed LV mass (ρ = 0.599, p = 0.001), while segmental cTSD showed a weak positive correlation with LGE in patients with ApHCM (ρ = 0.239, p < 0.001). Conclusion Segmental cTSD was significantly higher in the ApHCM group than in the normal group, with the greatest difference at the apical segments. This difference was not observed in the full-thickness myocardial circumferential strain. These findings suggest that cTSD may serve as a sensitive imaging biomarker for ApHCM, not only in hypertrophied apex segments but also in non-hypertrophied myocardium.

Purpose: This study evaluated volumetric analysis using automatic whole-brain segmentation as a potential tool to enhance diagnostic accuracy alongside traditional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers in the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH). Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients diagnosed with INPH exhibited progressive symptoms, including gait dysfunction and cognitive impairment, confirmed by MRI evidence of enlarged ventricles and normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Automatic segmentation was performed on sagittal T1-weighted volumetric images using LesionQuant. Age- and sex-matched groups with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and normal control (NC) groups were included. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to predict diagnoses (NC, INPH, or AD) based on volumetric parameters. Results: Compared to the AD and NC groups, enlarged inferior lateral ventricles were observed in the INPH group. The inferior lateral ventricle volume showed a positive linear correlation with the Evans’ index (R2 = 0.639) and a negative linear correlation with the callosal angle (R2 = 0.482). High classification accuracy was achieved, with 87.5% of NC cases, 88.5% of INPH cases, and 76% of AD cases correctly identified. Conclusion Automated volumetric markers appear valuable for diagnosing INPH and distinguishing it from other neurodegenerative diseases.

Magnetic resonance (MR) enterography (MRE) plays a pivotal role in the management of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) throughout the chronic disease process. With advantages such as its non-invasiveness and the ability to use several MR sequences to reflect findings of active inflammation, several MRE-based indices have been introduced to assess CD inflammatory activity. Although there is no universally accepted gold-standard score for clinical practice, the most studied scores include the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity, simplified Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity, Nancy score, Clermont score, London score, and CD MRI Index. These MRE-based scoring systems share certain characteristics but also differ in terms of the imaging parameters included, the bowel segments evaluated, and the MR sequences required for assessment. This review article covers the key MR findings of active inflammation incorporated into these scoring systems, along with the detailed characteristics and clinical applications of MRE-based scoring systems in adult patients with CD.

Conventional full-protocol breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes T2-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, consisting of pre-contrast and four to six post-contrast T1-weighted images. By contrast, abbreviated breast MRI consists of pre-contrast and a single post-contrast T1-weighted image as core sequences, along with reconstructed subtraction and maximum intensity projection images. Additional sequences, such as T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and a second postcontrast T1-weighted image, can be included in the abbreviated protocol based on user preferences; however, the recommended total acquisition time is less than 10 minutes.Using abbreviated MRI, the scan time is reduced, and MRI throughput increases, which can lower costs and improve accessibility. Moreover, the current evidence consistently suggests that the accuracy of abbreviated breast MRI in detecting breast cancer is comparable to that of full-protocol MRI. With these advantages, abbreviated breast MRI may be increasingly used for screening women at average to intermediate risk. This review discusses the background of abbreviated MRI, the results of clinical studies, and outstanding issues for future consideration.

Thymic diseases such as thymic hyperplasia, thymic cysts, thymoma, and thymic carcinoma are common causes of mediastinal masses that present with diverse clinical and radiological features. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a pivotal tool for evaluating thymic pathologies as it offers superior soft-tissue contrast and has the ability to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. Thymic MRI protocols include T1- and T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) with apparent diffusion coefficient mapping, and contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI), each offering unique diagnostic insights into the composition and behavior of thymic lesions. However, interpreting MRI findings in thymic diseases may present challenges. Thymic cysts containing hemorrhage or proteinaceous material may mimic solid lesions owing to altered signal intensities, necessitating DW-MRI and CE-MRI for accurate differentiation. Small thymic lesions, particularly those <1 cm in diameter, are susceptible to signal distortion and partial volume effects, complicating their detection and characterization. Furthermore, respiratory and cardiac motion artifacts can degrade the image quality and obscure important diagnostic details, especially in lesions near the heart and lungs. Despite these challenges, MRI remains a critical imaging modality for assessing and managing thymic diseases, offering detailed tissue characterization. Interpretive pitfalls and technical limitations underscore the importance of employing optimized imaging protocols and expert analyses to ensure diagnostic accuracy and guide appropriate clinical decision-making.

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive method available for detecting breast cancer, and its use in clinical practice is on the rise. Preoperative breast MRI plays a vital role in assessing the full extent of disease and identifying additional lesions in the contralateral breast that conventional imaging may overlook. These unexpected findings can lead to significant changes in treatment approaches and may ultimately affect long-term outcomes for patients. Despite this, the value of preoperative breast MRI for early-stage breast cancer patients remains a contentious issue. This review evaluates the existing literature on the influence of preoperative breast MRI on clinical outcomes in this patient population.