MRI of the hand employs equipment that produces a magnetic field to obtain very precise images of the soft tissue, bone and nerve of the hand that could help the radiologist in diagnosing ligament sprain, tendonitis, fractures and tumors. While undergoing an MRI of the hand, the patient lies down within a big machine while the MRI machine acquires high-resolution images of the hand. What is an MRI Hand Scan and benefits
MRI Hand Scan with Contrast (Gadolinium)
When it’s used: Intravenous injection of contrast agent may be utilized from time to time to enhance the visibility of certain structures or abnormalities. It is particularly useful in:
- Displaying regions of inflammation more vividly (e.g., synovitis of arthritis)
- Detecting infections
- Identifying the nature of masses or tumors
- Assessing disease of blood vessels or blood flow
- Different MRI sequences (special arrangements of the magnetic fields and radio waves) are used to highlight different tissue characteristics.
Why Would You Want An MRI of Your Hand?
There are a number of reasons your doctor might be sending you to get an MRI.
Fractures: Following a fall or trauma, an MRI can detect occult fractures that are not apparent on a normal x-ray.
Arthritis or Joint Problems: Pain, swelling or stiffness can help and MRI in coming to a diagnosis for arthritis, degeneration, or potential dislocation.
Soft Tissue Injuries: An MRI is effective in identifying soft problems such as torn ligaments or tendon trauma and some problems involving the pulley system, which allows your fingers to bend.
Infection or Abnormal Growths: An MRI could be the method to assess for other causes of problems with your hand.
When Should You Get an MRI Hand Scan, and Who Should Have an MRI Hand Scan?
There are certain symptoms your physician might consider when determining whether an MRI Hand scan would be a good idea. These are:
- Weakness or decreased grip strength in your hand
- Decreased motion in your wrist or finger joints
- Potential ligament damage, or tendon damage associated with trauma (i.e. fall, or sports injury)
- Persistent pain that is linked with the development of symptoms that you are congruent with symptoms related to arthritis
Benefits of the MRI Assessment
The MRI Hand assessment possesses several benefits:
Image Quality: MRI offers high-quality depiction of the complex anatomy of the hand.
Accuracy of Diagnosis: This degree of specification is significant to properly diagnose most of the categories of conditions/injuries to the hand.
Aids Treatment and Planning: The information gained on MRI Hand bone scans helps doctors make the proper treatment plan.
Non-invasive and Safe: MRI Hand tests are non-invasive and do not utilize ionizing radiation.
Identifies Subtle Problems: An MRI Hand test also identifies subtle problems or minor-stage problems that are not detected by other imaging studies.
Conclusion
An MRI employs a strong magnet to carry out a body imaging scan – this provides very high quality images and is also able to identify very small pathologies at a very early stage. It is necessary to detect these pathologies early and get a certain and definitive diagnosis because this will result in the optimum treatment, and recovery process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q When would someone need an MRI of their hand?
If you’ve got pain, swelling, and stiffness on a daily basis or you’ve had an injury – you need to talk to your doctor for advice. Your doctor will mention the option to you and if they have the opinion that an MRI is necessary.
Q. Is the MRI test painful?
An MRI is painless. Some find that holding still in the machine for an extended period of time is rather uncomfortable.
Q. Do side effects occur?
MRI scans are safe. There can be some minor side effects such as rash, nausea, or vomiting; but this happens infrequently when a contrast dye is used.
Q. What will the hand MRI reveal?
It will give sharp images of all the structures including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and blood vessels of the hand. So it is beneficial in the diagnosis of fractures and other hand injuries, arthritis, etc.
Q. What are the advantages of MRI with contrast?
Advantages of contrast MRI include enhanced diagnostic capability by detecting slight abnormalities that may be overlooked on a non-contrast study, enhanced objectivity of disease diagnosis such as tumors, infections and inflammatory disease, and detection of disease earlier that might require urgent treatment.
