Welcome to the 2024 Autumn Edition of SIGNA™ Pulse of MR. I am honored to once again be the Guest Editor, and in this issue we have several articles focused on the increasingly important role of MR and PET/MR in the planning and monitoring of radiation therapy. You will also find in this edition a range of articles that highlight the role of recent innovations in both software and gradient hardware as well as cutting-edge AI approaches that are all helping to improve image quality and reduce scan times.
A significant news announcement is the recent FDA clearance of SIGNA™ MAGNUS‡, a novel head gradient insert designed to enhance the capabilities of traditional MRI systems. This cutting-edge technology allows for much higher resolution imaging that captures the intricate microstructural details of the brain, paving the way for improved diagnostics and treatment evaluation. I am looking forward to the installation of our MAGNUS over the next few months. We will be focusing on its use in psychiatry and developmental disorders where MR has improved our understanding of mental health. Traditional assessment methods often fall short in capturing the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to mental health conditions. MR, particularly when enhanced by technologies like SIGNA MAGNUS, will provide a non-invasive means to investigate structural and functional changes in the brain. Alterations in brain connectivity and microstructure in conditions including autism, depression, anxiety, psychosis and dementia will be investigated and we will develop more nuanced understandings of the brain, opening the door to new therapeutic strategies.
In radiation therapy, precise targeting is crucial. Drs. Maria Picchio and Paola Scifo at IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute share an in-depth summary of their clinical evaluation of SIGNA PET/MR in diagnosing, monitoring and staging soft-tissue cancers. The precision of simultaneous PET and MR imaging can be instrumental in tailoring individual treatment plans, enabling oncologists to prescribe treatments that maximize the effectiveness of radiation while minimizing damage to surrounding structures, making radiation therapy safer and more effective. This issue also shares the impact of MR imaging in Gamma Knife treatments, discusses the first European installation of AIR™ Open Coil Suite on SIGNA Premier and highlights the value of AIR™ Recon DL and motion insensitive imaging for more confident tumor diagnoses.
Being a Luddite, I was initially cynical about the role of AI in certain areas of medicine, but I am a recent convert! AI approaches such as AIR Recon DL 3D are going to be a game changer for radiology. This innovative technology utilizes advanced deep-learning algorithms to enhance SNR, ensuring clearer and more detailed images in shorter scan times. This will undoubtedly reduce patient discomfort and improve workflow efficiency in busy clinical settings. You will see in this issue that AIR Recon DL is so adaptable that it is being used in a wide range of applications, from neurology to orthopedics. It can be applied to over 90% of GE HealthCare’s pulse sequences, including motion insensitive techniques such as PROPELLER, which is featured in several case studies. To summarize, AIR Recon DL enhances clinical diagnoses and elevates the standard of care, making it a fabulous asset for healthcare professionals and patients alike.
Welcome to a new chapter in MR innovation, I am delighted to share all these recent advances with you.
‡ SIGNA MAGNUS is 510(k) cleared with the US FDA. Not yet CE Marked.
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