If you are looking for What is MRI scan used to diagnose? Medical illustration showing a closed bore MRI machine and an open MRI machine. There are two main types of MRI machines: closed bore and open MRI machines. Closed bore MRI machines will provide the best quality images, while open MRI machines may allow for greater comfort during the imaging due to the lack of a surrounding closed space.
What is the Principle of MRI?
MRI makes use of large magnets that create a magnet field strong enough to cause protons in the body to align with the magnet field. Then a radiofrequency current is pulsed through the patient to stimulate the protons and cause them to spin out of equilibrium with the magnetic field When the RF field is switched off, the MRI sensors will detect the released energy of protons as they realign with the magnetic field.
The time it takes for protons to realign and the energy that is released is dependent upon the dielectric environment and chemical structure of the molecules. These properties allow the physician to distinguish between different tissues based on their different magnetic properties.
What Does an MRI Do?
MRI can not only clearly image the brain’s white matter and grey matter, it can also be used to diagnose aneurysms as well as tumors. MRI is the modality of choice when frequent imaging may be required for diagnosis or therapy, such as in the case of the brain, when x-ray imaging and CT imaging may not be ideal due to the ionizing radiation.
Also Read: How to Prepare for Brain MRI With Contrast
How Will I Prepare for the MRI Exam?
- Activities: Typically, restrictions are not present for most MRI Studies, and you can eat and take medication as you routinely do. With certain special studies MRI in specific body areas will restrict this kind of activity.
- Clothing: You will leave your belongings behind in the changing area or on a chair while you receive your examination wearing a patient gown. You will need to remove every piercing and leave all jewelry and other valuables at home.
- Allergy: Some MRI exams need IV contrast. If you have had an allergic reaction to MRI contrast, please contact your ordering provider for a prescription for a recommended medication.
- Anti-Anxiety Medication: If you are taking anti-anxiety medication due to claustrophobia, you will need to contact your ordering physician for a prescription. You must bring your prescription on the day of your appointment.
- Strong Magnetic Environment: Because of the strong magnetic field, your physician will want to know if you have metal in your body prior to the appointment.
Importance of MRI in Assessing and Treating Medical Issues and Conditions
MRI is a valuable service in the assessment and diagnosis of many medical issues and conditions. Its ability to provide high quality images of the body’s internal structures makes MRI a valued diagnostic service to identify things like brain tumors, spinal cord injuries, and joint abnormalities. While being a safe imaging modality with no radiation and no invasive manner. With continued improvements in imaging sciences, it will likely only become a more accurate and flexible diagnostic service for the field of medicine.
Also Check: What Does a Brain MRI Show
Conclusion
MRI is a safe and highly effective imaging method of the organs and tissues of the body, involving no radiation exposure. Its accuracy and effectiveness are advantageous in evaluating and managing common conditions, such as conditions of the brain and spinal cord, the joints, and soft tissue. MRI is an important part of contemporary medical imaging and therapy management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why would your doctor order an MRI?
To assess many types of disorders when other imaging is inadequate, a doctor may order an MRI which provides excellent details of soft tissue, organs and bones.
Q. What illnesses can an MRI detect?
MRI is capable of determining many different types of illnesses, including the following: neurological illnesses including brain disease and spinal disease, such as tumors, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.
Q. Can MRI cause muscle spasms?
Yes, an MRI can lead to muscle spasms or twitching because of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) resulting from the quick switching of the magnetic fields during an MRI scan.
Q. Can MRI detect all problems?
An MRI scan cannot detect all health problems, although it is a very powerful clinically diagnostic tool. It has strengths and limitations to provide an assessment of specific health problems better than others.
Q. How long do MRI results take?
After the completion of an MRI study, the results are typically sent to your physician in one to two weeks, at which time those results will be discussed.
