Principles of imaging by nuclear magnetic resonance

Imaging by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a new modality for obtaining anatomic data. Magnetic field gradients are used to obtain spatial information. The advantages of NMR imaging include the ability to obtain images in multiple orientations (coronal, sagittal, and transverse), absence of ionizing radiation, and the potential to obtain chemical information. NMR images of the central nervous system have been equal to those of TCT, and in some cases superior. The utility of NMR imaging is yet to be determined, although preliminary findings are encouraging.