Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Healthcare in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) played a significant role in the digital health platforms that influenced and supported modern medicine. However, there is a shortage of MRI in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The International Society of Radiology offers a detailed plan for LMICs to advance imaging quality in the global health agenda. The overarching objective of this scoping review was to determine the impact of MRI in healthcare in LMICs. This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify available evidence. We systematically searched four academic databases for peer-reviewed literature published between 2018 and 2021, namely, Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, as well as Google Scholar as a source for gray literature. The search identified 54 articles. We identified a range of reasons for introducing MRI in LMICs. Nonetheless, some challenges to accepting MRI as a method of healthcare have been reported, including technological, regulatory, and economical challenges. To implement the proposed plan, the involvement of professional and international organizations is considered crucial. The establishment of an International Commission on Medical Imaging under the umbrella of international organizations is suggested and collaboration with other diagnostic disciplines is encouraged to raise awareness of the importance of upscale diagnostics at large and to foster its integration into the care pathway globally.

Ultrasound-Guided Mechanical High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (Histotripsy) Through an Acoustically Permeable Polyolefin-Based Cranioplasty Device

“…Based on the prior studies investigating ultrasound attenuation across the prosthesis [9][10][11], we hypothesized that histotripsy bubble clouds could be generated across the prosthesis at sufficiently high pressures to cause effective ablation in brain tissue. The results of this study lay the groundwork for further advancements in real-time, ultrasound-guided histotripsy for intracranial applications, particularly in settings where MRIguidance is not available [34].…”

COVID-19 and Tuberculosis: Mathematical Modeling of Infection Spread Taking into Account Reduced Screening

“…Today, specialists in radiologic diagnostics talk about the need for more active use of artificial intelligence and combining the efforts of all communities to analyze data in order to detect TB in a timely manner, even at the stage of the appearance of changes in the lungs [54]. Some researchers draw attention to the need for wider use of MRI research, especially for the detection and diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB [55,56]. However, under the conditions of mass screening, the MRI study can be complicated by the high cost of the method [57][58][59].…”

Epilepsy Care in Latin America and the Caribbean: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities

“…27 Subsequently, several countries have acquired this technology for institutions in the public sector; however, specific data on the accessibility of neuroimaging centers in LAC countries are limited, making it challenging to evaluate the full scope of MRI availability to patients within some regions. 29 Additionally, it is very likely that a significant rural-urban gap in the distribution of MRI exists.…”