Method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging using contrast agent

A magnetic resonance imaging device comprising:

• a magnet for generating a static magnetic field in which the patient is situated;
• transmitting and receiving coils for transmitting high-frequency magnetic fields onto said patient and picking up magnetic resonance signals from the patient;
• a transmitter for transmitting a high-frequency magnetic field based on a pulse sequence onto said patient by means of said transmitting and receiving coils;
• a gradient magnetic field power supply for applying a gradient magnetic field based on a pulse sequence to said patient by means of said transmitting and receiving coils;
• a receiver for receiving said magnetic resonance signals generated in accordance with the execution of said pulse sequence;
• a processing unit for reconstructing magnetic resonance images on the basis of the magnetic resonance signals received by said receiver;
• a display unit for displaying the magnetic resonance images reconstructed by said processing unit;
• a controller for controlling the operations of said transmitter, receiver and gradient magnetic field power supply, on the basis of said pulse sequence;
• and
• an input device permitting input of an instruction for the execution of said pulse sequence to said controller;
• wherein said controller executes a monitor scan pulse sequence for a monitor region of said patient in order to observe the flow of contrast agent injected into said patient and, in response to an instruction input via said input means, halts the execution of said monitor scan pulse sequence and executes an imaging scan pulse sequence for an image region of interest of said patient;
• said monitor scans involving the acquisition of magnetic resonance images for a plurality of slices of said patient;
• and
• said processor unit repeatedly generating projection images by carrying out projection processing of the magnetic resonance images of the plurality of slices acquired by said monitor scans.

A method for displaying images of a monitor region, by acquiring first magnetic resonance images from a monitor region of a patient before acquiring second magnetic resonance images of an image region of interest of a patient situated inside a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the steps comprising:

• acquiring the first magnetic resonance images of a plurality of slices by performing monitor scans of a monitor region of said patient injected with contrast agent;
• carrying out projection processing of the first magnetic resonance images of said plurality of slices, and repeatedly generating projection images;
• dynamically displaying said projection images;
• and
• acquiring the second magnetic resonance images by performing imaging scans of said patient in response to an instruction input externally whilst said projection images are being dynamically displayed.

A method for displaying images of a monitor region, by acquiring magnetic resonance images from a monitor region of a patient before acquiring magnetic resonance images of an image region of interest of a patient situated inside a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the steps comprising:

• acquiring magnetic resonance images of a plurality of slices of the monitor region of said patient by means of a pulse sequence for monitor scans, before injection of a contrast agent, as mask images;
• acquiring magnetic resonance images of the same slice positions as said mask images by means of a pulse sequence for monitor scans, after injection of the contrast agent, as contrast images;
• generating difference images for each slice from said mask image and said contrast image for the same slice position;
• carrying out projection processing on said plurality of difference images to generate projection images;
• displaying said projection images as dynamic images;
• and
• acquiring magnetic resonance images of an image region of interest of said patient by means of a pulse sequence for imaging scans, in response to an instruction input externally whilst said projection images are being displayed.