Dynamic MRI Continued from Page 30 which more information could be obtained from MRI scans with patients in positions other than lying flat on their backs during the study. Some of these benefits have been demonstrated, while other possible ad- vantages to this technology are still await- ing clinical studies to prove the benefits of dynamic MRI imaging. As well, there are many research opportunities for dynamic MRI imaging that will increase our under- standing of disease and improve treatment. Another important point to note is that an MRI exam, unlike X-ray, is radiation- free. The National Cancer Institute report- ed a 70 per cent increase in breast cancer in women with scoliosis who had repeated chest x-ray examinations throughout their childhood and adult life.5 OPEN CONFIGURATION, UPRIGHT, MULTIPOSITION MRI Fonar Corporation (www.fonar.com) is a leading developer of MRI technology and, currently, the only manufacturer of the upright MRI. The company has produced a 0.6 Tesla upright, multiposition MRI with a vertical bore and an open configuration. It can acquire images of any body part and in any plane with the patient sitting, lying, standing and bending. The upright MRI allows patients to sit and watch television in a quiet, com- fortable position while they have their MRI. Fonar has also developed an as- sortment of gradient coils that enhance image quality at the lower field strength. For imaging of the brain, spine and many joints the image quality is equal to those obtained in a 1.5 tesla magnet. There are approximately 150 upright MRI scanners worldwide. There is cur- rently only one in Canada, located in Kamloops, British Columbia. DYNAMIC MRI – IMPLICATIONS FOR CHIROPRACTIC Spinal adjustments have been practised for thousands of years and are the basic foundation for chiropractic care. The idea of the “spinal subluxation complex” has been used by chiropractors, but can be difficult for physicians to envision or ac- cept. Dynamic MRI could become integral to chiropractic practice, particularly with respect to enhancing diagnostic acumen, as well as in chiropractic education and re- search. Performing positional MRIs before and after spinal adjustments could identify the anatomic or pathological correlation between spinal dysfunction and pain. This technology could also validate current treatment protocols and aid in the devel- opment of new chiropractic procedures. • REFERENCES : 1. Nachemson AL. 1981 Disc pressure measurements. Spine 6:93-97. 2. Hong SW et al. 2007. Missed spondylo- listhesis in static MRIs but found in Dy- namic MRIs in patients with low back pain. The Spine Journal 7 (5S):69S. 3. Weishaupt D et al. 2000. Positional MRI imaging of the lumbar spine: does it demonstrate nerve root compromise not visible at conventional MR imag- ing? Radiology 215 (1):247-253. 4. Zou J et al. 2008. Missed lumbar disc herniations diagnosed with kinetic magnetic resonance imaging. Spine 33 (5):E140-E144. 5. National Cancer Institute. 2000. http:// www.cancer.gov/newscenter/scolio- sis2000. aDVISORY bOARD Victoria Coleman-Kay, DC eDITORIAL Connie J. D’Astolfo, DC, Dip HA, PhD (cand) Pierre DesLauriers, DC Kevin Finn, DC Karin Hammerich, DC, MHST(L)(cand) James P. Laws, DC, FCCSS(Hon) David Leprich, DC Frank Mangoni, DC Patrick Milroy, BA, MA, DC Peter Moore, DC Renae Rogers, DC James Thompson, DC Greg Uchacz, DC, FCCSS(C) Jessica Wong (CMCC student) Emily Roback B.Sc, DC mEMBERS OF THE eDITORIAL aDVISORY bOARD OF cANADIAN cHIROPRACTOR mAGAZINE dO NOT NECESSARILY SHARE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE MAGAZINE NOR ARE THEY REPONSIBLE FOR INFORMATION APPEARING IN THE PUBLICATION. 34 • Canadian ChiropraCtor | dECEMBEr 2009 www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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