RSNA News - September 2004

Journal Highlights

MR Imaging Procedures and Use in Cardiac Care

MR imaging technology has greatly evolved over the past two decades and has increasingly been used for diagnostics. Two review articles in the September issue of Radiology (rsna.org/radiologyjnl) provide an overview of MR imaging—one on procedures, the other on use in cardiac care.

In the first article, "MR Procedures: Biologic Effects, Safety, and Patient Care," Frank G. Shellock, Ph.D., and John V. Crues, M.D., from Los Angeles, discuss the effects of changing technology. The article:

• Provides an overview of and update on MR biologic effects
• Discusses new or controversial MR safety topics and issues
• Presents evidence-based guidelines to ensure safety for patients and staff members
• Describes MR safety information for various implants and devices that have recently undergone evaluation

In the second review article, "Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging of the Heart: Overview of the Literature," Robert R. Edelman, M.D., from Chicago, provides an overview of the principles and utility of cardiac MR imaging, with emphasis on the use of contrast media, including:

• Contrast agents used experimentally and in humans
• Methods for contrast agent administration and data acquisition
• Promising new developments

These articles also include "Essentials" or highlighted points to help busy readers recognize important information at a glance.

To access this article online, go to rsna.org/radiologyjnl.

Examples of aneurysm clips with a variety of shapes and sizes (different versions of Spetzler Titanium Aneurysm Clips; Healthcare Corporation, V. Mueller Neuro/Spine, San Carlos, Calif). Aneurysm clips may be made from various materials, including ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic metals.

Principles of Adult Learning

Understanding the principles of adult learning can help teachers become better facilitators of learning.

In the September-October issue of RadioGraphics (rsna.org/radiographics), Jannette Collins, M.D., M.Ed., from Madison, Wisc., provides her third in a series of articles on adult learning.

In this article, "Education Techniques for Lifelong Learning," Dr. Collins discusses the differences in how adults and pre-adults learn, the science of adult learning principles and how these principles can be applied to radiologic education.

She writes: "Teaching is not something that should be done to the learner. The learner should be actively involved in learning and encouraged to be active. … Active participation engages learners in the learning process and enhances retention of new concepts."

Dr. Collins will also present the information this month at an RSNA faculty development workshop.