Musculoskeletal Imaging Research Core
Director: Martin Torriani
Location: 55 Fruit Street, YAW 6048, Boston, MA 02114
| Core Summary: |
The Musculoskeletal Imaging Research Core (MIRC) offers specialized imaging techniques including quantitative computed tomography (QCT), magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy of muscle and high-resolution soft tissue MR imaging.
| Personnel/Contact Information: |
Director: Martin Torriani, M.D., M.Sc.
Phone: (617) 726-7717
Fax: (617) 726-5282
Email: mtorriani@partners.org
Other Staff:
Research Scientist: Bijoy Thomas, M.D.
Phone: (617) 724-0548
Fax: (617) 726-5282
Email: bjthomas@partners.org
Research Fellow: Aditya Patel, M.Sc.
Phone: (617) 643-1566
Fax: (617) 726-5282
Email: apatel28@partners.org
| Facilities and Equipment: |
Location of Core:
The facility is located at 55 Fruit Street, YAW 6048, Boston, MA 02114.
Major Equipment:
The MGH MIRC has access to state-of-the-art technology in diagnostic imaging available at the Massachusetts General Hospital main campus, MGH Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, and Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. Available equipment for research imaging includes:
MRI/MRS
4 General Electric Signa 1.5 Tesla scanners
2 Siemens Sonata 1.5 Tesla scanners
2 Siemens Trio 3.0 Tesla scanners
CT
5 General Electric Light Speed 16-slice MDCT scanners
| Services: |
- Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI): MR imaging techniques are available for researchers requiring high-resolution imaging of joints and soft tissues. Our staff provides
expertise in design and implementation of imaging protocols.
- Magnetic
Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS):
- Proton MRS allows non-invasive measurement of metabolites such as lipids, total creatine, and choline.
- Proton MRS services of muscle (for measurement of intramyocellular and extramyocellular lipids, total creatine and choline)
- Proton MRS of bone marrow (for measurement of marrow fat)
- Proton MRS of liver (for measurement of hepatocellular lipids)
- Phosphorous MRS allows non-invasive assessment of muscle function through the measurement of metabolites such as phosphocreatine, ATP, ADP, inorganic phosphate and pH during rest, exercise and recovery.
- Proton MRS allows non-invasive measurement of metabolites such as lipids, total creatine, and choline.
- Our MRS data is acquired on GE or Siemens scanners at 1.5T or 3.0T field strengths
and is analyzed with validated softwares such as LCModel and jMRU.
- Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT): QCT used for assessment of body composition (fat and muscle compartments) and bone mineral density.
| Fee Schedule/Rates (Effective 1/1/11-9/30/11): |
Important Note: when budgeting for MIRC services, the MIRC fee must be budgeted as Other Expenses. The technical fee (Hospital Charge After Research Discount) should be budgeted as a Patient Care expense.
| Quantitative Computed Tomography | MIRC
Fee (budget as Other Expense) |
Hospital
Charge After Research Discount |
Total Cost per Exam |
||
Internal † |
External Academic |
External Industry |
|||
| QCT (single slice at L4 for VAT/SAT measures and bone mineral density with or without single slice for thigh fat and muscle compartments) | $172 |
$208 |
$380 |
$456 |
$481 |
| QCT (slices at L1-L2-L3-L4 for bone mineral density with or without single slice for thigh fat and muscle compartments) | $172 |
$188 |
$360 |
$436 |
$461 |
| QCT (lumbar and femur volumetric acquisition for bone mineral density) | $196 |
$188 |
$394 |
$471 |
$500 |
| Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) | MIRC
Fee (budget as Other Expense) |
Hospital
Charge After Research Discount |
Total Cost per Exam |
||
Internal † |
External Academic |
External Industry |
|||
| MRS (Data Acquisition and Analysis) * | $205 |
$428 |
$633 |
$724 |
$755 |
|
MRS Services: |
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|
Protron Spectroscopy - Muscle, Bone Marrow, Liver
|
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Phosphorous Spectroscopy - Muscle, Liver
|
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Additional Services:
|
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|
Single MR image of the abdomen at the level of L4 for VAT/SAT measures
|
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Single MR image for thigh fat and muscle compartments
|
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*Any combination of the above services can be performed. The above charges are for a 45-minute time slot in the MR scanner. |
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) |
MIRC Fee (budget as Other Expense) |
Hospital Charge After Research Discount |
Total Fee per Exam |
||
Internal † |
External Academic |
External Industry |
|||
MRI of Upper Extremity Joint (without contrast) (Data Acquisition only) |
$121 |
$567 |
$688 |
$742 |
$894 |
MRI of Lower Extremity Joint (without contrast) (Data Acquisition only) |
$121 |
$578 |
$699 |
$753 |
$905 |
MRI of Lumbar Spine (without contrast) (Data Acquisition only) |
$121 |
$532 |
$653 |
$707 |
$859 |
† Note that the MIRC Fee portion of the charge will bear overhead. Please budget accordingly.
| Getting Started: |
To access the core, please contact Dr. Torriani
at (617) 726-7717 or by email at
mtorriani@partners.org.
| Departmental Web Link: |
http://www2.massgeneral.org/radiology/index.asp?page=mirc
