Renal cell carcinoma
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans provide an image of the soft tissues in the body using radio waves and strong magnets. MRI can be used instead of CT if the patient exhibits an allergy to the contrast media administered for the test. Sometimes prior to the MRI scan, an intravenous injection of a contrasting material called gadolinium is given to allow for a more detailed image. Patients on dialysis or those who have renal insufficiency should avoid this contrasting material as it may induce a rare, yet severe, side effect known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. A bone scan or brain imaging is not routinely performed unless signs or symptoms suggest potential metastatic involvement of these areas.
MRI scans should also be considered to evaluate tumour extension which has grown in major blood vessels, including the vena cava, in the abdomen. MRI can be used to observe the possible spread of cancer to the brain or spinal cord should the patient present symptoms that suggest this might be the case.
Cognitive genomics
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a widely available imaging technique that measures changes in blood flow in imaged tissue. It’s commonly used in neurophysiological studies to determine neuron activation. Unlike a standard MRI, fMRI can be used to actively measure subject neuronal activity as the patient performs tasks. This technique isn’t used on conscious non-human primates due to the inability to restrain the primates during imaging. However, fMRI illustrates regional brain activity when performed on primates that performed tasks over an extended period of time and were then anesthetized.