MRI MRI Anatomy and Pathology

Question 1

On MRI, cortical bone appears as which signal intensity on both T1 and T2 weighted images?

Accepted Answer

Low signal (signal void)

Answer

Cortical bone has very few mobile protons and produces a signal void (low signal) on both T1 and T2 weighted MRI sequences.

Question 2

Which structure in the knee joint is best evaluated with MRI and appears as a low-signal-intensity triangular structure?

Accepted Answer

Medial meniscus

Answer

The medial meniscus is best visualized on MRI as a low-signal-intensity fibrocartilaginous triangular structure on coronal and sagittal images.

Question 3

A T1 hyperintense (bright) lesion in the brain is most consistent with which finding?

Accepted Answer

Subacute blood or fat-containing lesion

Answer

T1 hyperintensity in the brain is classically associated with subacute hemorrhage (methemoglobin), fat, protein-rich fluid, or melanin.

Question 4

The normal intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus appears as which signal on T2-weighted MRI in a healthy young adult?

Accepted Answer

High signal (bright)

Answer

The healthy nucleus pulposus is rich in water-containing proteoglycans and appears bright (high signal) on T2-weighted sequences.

Question 5

On diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), an acute ischemic infarct typically shows:

Accepted Answer

High signal on DWI and low ADC values

Answer

Cytotoxic edema in acute infarction restricts water diffusion, producing high signal on DWI and low apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values.

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Practice Test