Recognition and Appropriate Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Emergent Neuroradiology

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of emergent life-threatening neurologic conditions and what are considered “do not miss” pathologies has dramatically increased over the past 10 years due to its increasing importance in the emergency department. Although computed tomography is likely to remain the more significantly used imaging modality due to lower cost and faster speeds, continuing technological advances in MRI have made its use more mainstream. Knowledge of specific clinical signs and symptoms as well as the technical limitations of MRI should help to guide emergency department clinicians with both the recognition and the appropriate use of emergent MRI.