1. A hand-held probe for magnetic resonance imaging comprising; an elongated housing having a first end and a second end and configured to be held and manipulated in a user's hand; a permanent magnet supported within the housing with one pole facing the first end of the housing, a pole axis of the permanent magnet substantially parallel with the length of the elongated housing; and an electromagnetic combination burst and detector coil supported by the housing and positioned with an axis of the burst and detector coil coaxial with the pole axis of the permanent magnet.