Spotlight on MRI safety provides a day of innovation and learning in Edinburgh

MRI Safety Matters founder Barbara Nugent orchestrated another MRI Safety Update and Innovations Day on September 16. Attracting more than 80 in-person attendees and 300 virtual participants globally, the event featured an impressive roster of experts.

Delivered by MRI safety advocate Tobias Gilk, the keynote address posed a critical question: “Are we keeping pace with growing MRI safety risks?” Gilk underscored the remarkable technological advancements in MRI, emphasising increased magnet strengths, improved active shielding and higher spatial resolution.

Professor Martin Graves spoke on advanced acceleration techniques and AI’s impact on clinical output, while Dr Jonathan Ashmore gave an update on scanning patients with unknown implants.

Virtual talks by Dr Frank Shellock and Associate Professor Donald McRobbie covered managing patients with passive implants and SAR versus B1+rms. Dr Imran Shahid from Guerbet and Dr Anita Gianella from Bayer addressed intriguing aspects of contrast agents.

MRI radiographers featured among the presenters. Dr Karyn Chappell and Philippa Bridgen presented on magic angle directional imaging and MRI safety considerations at 7.0T, respectively. Trina Herbert shared insights on implementing MRI safety in radiotherapy and Rachel Watt, representing BAMRR, discussed MRI provision for cauda equina syndrome.

A highlight was the launch of an MRI notebook, a collaborative project between Barbara Nugent and technologist Alex Shcherbakov. Tailored for UK scan operators, it serves as a personal workplace organiser, offering technical data and safety education.

To conclude, a Q&A session moderated by Dr Ian Cavin offered participants the opportunity to engage with the expert panel. The whole event is now available for on-demand access.

Supporting industry partners were Metrasens, Guerbet, Bayer, AGITO Medical, Esaote, Probo Medical, Synapse Medical, GE HealthCare and Pearl Technology.

Picture: Speakers and organisers included Trina Herbert, Professor Martin Graves, Dr Jonathan Ashmore, Tobias Gilk, Dr Ian Cavin, Dr Karyn Chappell, Philippa Bridgen, Rachel Watt and Barbara Nugent.

Published on page 29 of the December 2023 issue of RAD Magazine.