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From: PAPAI@kcgl1.eng.ohio-state.edu (Jonathan Papai)
Newsgroups: sci.techniques.mag-resonance,alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Gimme an MRI, hold the nuclear.
Date: 13 May 1994 13:28:07 GMT

In Message-ID: <1994May12.181304.9692@muss.cis.mcmaster.ca> On or about Thu, 12 May 1994 18:13:04 GMT whitlock@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca (Jeremy Whitlock) posted: > > Newsgroups: sci.techniques.mag-resonance
>
> A good account of the circa-1984 name change can be found in:
>
> Thomas F. Meaney, M.D., "Magnetic Resonance without Nuclear", _Radiology_,
> vol. 150, no. 1, January 1984, p.277

Bravo! This clears things up nicely.

The most important passages from the above follow:

........

Author:

        Thomas F. Meaney, M.D.
        Dept. of Radiology
        Cleveland Clinic
        9500 Euclid Avenue
        Cleveland 44106

Abstract:

The American College of Radiology's Commission on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance has recommended adoption of the term "Magnetic Resonance" as a replacement. The author offers background and rationale for this shift in terminology.

Body:

Almost as soon as clinical Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) systems became available, debate centered on the name: "Nuclear" Magnetic Resonance. In view of the concern of our society with things "nuclear", many considered that this word might suggest that radioactivity is associated with the procedure in the minds of the general public and, more specifically, patients undergoing examination.

A new society, composed of respective investigators in NMR, was formed for the purpose of scientific communication in the medical applications of the technology and chose the name "Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine," omitting the word "Nuclear."

[should it be called MRI(maging), MRS(pectroscopy), MRCT (computed tomography), etc. deleted.]

At a recent meeting, the American College of Radiology's Commission was unanimous in recommending the adoption of the term "Magnetic Resonance." Such terminology is sufficiently nonspecific to include the possibility of electron spin resonance, but appropriate in unifying both imaging and spectroscopy. And, the deletion of the word "Nuclear" may be helpful in eliminating undesirable connotations in the minds of the public.

[more deleted]
..........................................................

So it seems a change in the alt.folklore.urban FAQ is in order from:

> Key to Listed FAQs:

>       T  = 100% scientific truth

>       Tb = believed true, but not conclusively proven

>
> Tb.MRI used to be called "Nuclear MRI", but "N" was dropped due to nuke fear.

To:

> T. MRI used to be called "Nuclear MRI", but "N" was dropped due to nuke fear.

Jon " full of spinning electrons. " Papai