Not All MRIs Are the Same
T1, T2, FLAIR, fMRI, SWI, DTI, MRS, ASL — different MRI techniques look at different brain components. Why this matters for proving a TBI.
By Attorney Dan D'Angelo
Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist
Most people have heard of an MRI or magnetic resonance imaging but do not know that there are many different kinds of MRIs. MRI does not use radiation like computed tomography or CT. Instead, MRI uses powerful magnets and radiofrequency currents to obtain images of human anatomy. Contrast may be used to increase image brightness. MRI is better for imaging non-bony structures or soft tissues like the brain.
There are numerous types of MRIs with varying sensitivity levels and advanced techniques designed to look at different structural components and functions of the brain.
The different kinds of MRIs include T1 and T2 weighted imaging, 3.0 Tesla (3T) or next generation 7T and Connectome scanners, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), functional MRIs (fMRI), susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and arterial spine labelling (ASL). Not all these techniques are available on clinical scanners and may only be available to highly specialized research facilities. T1 looks at volumetric changes, MRS detects metabolic changes and measures neuronal function, SWI identifies microbleeds, FLAIR detects traumatic axonal injury and white matter hyperintensities, DTI measures water movement in axons and myelin, fMRI measures regional cerebral oxygenation, blood flow, and volume, and ASL assesses cerebral perfusion by quantifying cerebral blood flow.
Understanding these differences about imaging and how imaging plays a role in diagnosing and proving traumatic brain injury is vital to protecting the legal rights of brain injury victims and our clients. We are committed to working with expert radiologists and neuroradiologists and staying knowledgeable about the latest in brain imaging science to protect our client's rights.
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Attorney Dan D'Angelo offers free consultations for brain injury and cycling accident victims throughout Colorado.
About the Author
Attorney Dan D'Angelo
Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist
Attorney Dan D'Angelo founded D'Angelo Law Office, P.C. in 2009 and Bike Brain Law to focus exclusively on traumatic brain injury and cycling injury cases in Colorado. An avid cyclist himself, Dan combines deep TBI science knowledge with hands-on cycling experience to build winning cases against insurance companies and corporations that put profits over safety.
- Practicing Colorado personal injury attorney since 2009
- Focused practice in TBI and bicycle injury litigation
- Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for injury victims
- Avid road and commuter cyclist
