A brain MRI is needed when there are some symptoms which suggest the likelihood of serious or structural brain pathology, which requires imaging for better assessment and diagnosis. Here are the symptoms and situations which usually require a brain MRI.
Severe headaches or sudden headaches
- Neurological issues could present itself as:
- Numbness, weakness of one leg or one arm, or pins and needles in arms or legs
- Difficulty speaking or understanding verbal communications
- Changes in visual perception, losing vision or double vision
- changes in hearing ability
- Seizures, or new onset epilepsy
- Losing consciousness, confused states, and/or prolonged sleepiness
- A rapid change in behaviours or cognition
- Difficulties maintaining balance or coordinating movements ataxia
Suspected or diagnosed neurologic disorders
- Brain tumor or mass or stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
- Multiple sclerosis or other demyelinating disease.
- Dementia or other memory loss, undetermined.
- Hydrocephalus (fluid).
- Infections/inflammation meningitis, encephalitis.
- Pituitary disease.
- Congenital abnormality of the brain.
Worst headache of your life: A sudden onset of severe and prominent headache even more severe than usual, and described as the worst headache of your life could be a brain aneurysm; medical attention should be sought immediately.
Change in the pattern of the headache: If you have had a history of headache or headaches, and then have sudden change in the pattern of the headache i.e. the frequency and/or duration of the headache, it may be warranted to have an MRI to rule out the underlying causes.
Neurological symptoms: even if you have neurological symptoms, weakness, numbness, difficulty communicating or ordinary obtaining speech and changes in variable vision, your doctor may consider applying an MRI to help clarify whether you have underlying neurological disease.
Conclusion
Certain findings that suggest the possibility of a neurological disorder or structural brain or neurological system abnormality in the brain warrant the need for a patient to have a brain MRI. Important findings and situations that are generally more likely to warrant a brain MRI included below. The brain MRI will be done to diagnose or follow stroke, tumors, multiple sclerosis, infections, hydrocephalus, and degenerative diseases.The decision of whether to request a brain MRI is at the discretion of the clinical judgement and if there are red flag indications or concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the most common findings on a brain MRI?
A clot in the brain, Brain aneurysm, Bleeding in the brain,Brain damage from epilepsy,Brain tumors and cysts,Dementia.
Q. When does the doctor suggest brain MRI?
Doctors use Brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to look for the cause of new or old symptoms. To name just a few, they might be looking for: stroke, and damage from stroke. changes associated with aging (brain volume loss, or signal changes in brain tissue).
Q. What are the most common findings on a brain MRI?
Brain tumors, developmental abnormalities, hydrocephalus dilation of the fluid spaces inside the brain causes epilepsy infections,Certain chronic conditions including multiple sclerosis, disorders of the eye and inner ear,disorders of the pituitary gland.
Q. What can be found in an MRI of the brain?
An MRI of the brain can provide a doctor with evidence of parts of the brain where there are changes or the brain is not functioning correctly. An MRI of the brain typically is used to assess the underlying cause of symptoms like headaches, vision changes, seizures or hearing loss.
