| What is MRI? | | | | more accurately directed after knowing the |
| MRI stands for "Magnetic resonance imaging and | | | | results of an MRI scan. |
| was formerly referred to as magnetic resonance | | | | What are the risks of an MRI scan? |
| tomography or "MRT" in scientific circles. MRI was | | | | An MRI scan is a painless radiology technique that |
| originally marketed by big corporations such as GE | | | | has the advantage of avoiding x-ray radiation |
| as a non-invasive method used to render images | | | | exposure. There are no known side effects of an |
| of the inside of an object. | | | | MRI scan. |
| MRI should not be confused with the NMR | | | | Things to know before an MRI scan. |
| spectroscopy technique used in chemistry, | | | | The benefits of an MRI scan relate to its precise |
| although both are based on the same principles of | | | | accuracy in detecting structural abnormalities of |
| nuclear magnetic resonance. In fact MRI is NMR | | | | the body. |
| applied to the signal from water to acquire spatial | | | | A. Patients who have any metallic materials within |
| information in place of chemical information about | | | | the body must notify their physician prior to the |
| molecules. The same equipment can be used for | | | | examination as well as inform the MRI staff. |
| both imaging and spectroscopy. The scanners | | | | Metallic chips, materials, surgical clips, or foreign |
| used in medicine have a typical magnetic field | | | | material (artificial joints, metallic bone plates, or |
| strength of 0.2 to 3 Teslas. | | | | prosthetic devices, etc.) can significantly distort |
| An MRI (or magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a | | | | the images obtained by the MRI scanner. |
| radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio | | | | B. Patients who have heart pacemakers, metal |
| waves, and a computer to produce images of | | | | implants, or metal chips or clips in or around the |
| body structures. The MRI scanner is a tube | | | | eyeballs cannot be scanned with an MRI because |
| surrounded by a giant circular magnet. The patient | | | | of the risk that the magnet may move the metal |
| is placed on a moveable bed that is inserted into | | | | in these areas. |
| the magnet. The magnet creates a strong | | | | C. Similarly, patients with artificial heart valves, |
| magnetic field that aligns the protons of hydrogen | | | | metallic ear implants, bullet fragments, and |
| atoms, which are then exposed to a beam of | | | | chemotherapy or insulin pumps should not have |
| radio waves. This spins the various protons of the | | | | MRI scanning. |
| body, and they produce a faint signal that is | | | | During the MRI scan, patients lie in a closed area |
| detected by the receiver portion of the MRI | | | | inside the magnetic tube. Some patients can |
| scanner. The receiver information is processed by | | | | experience a claustrophobic sensation during the |
| a computer, and an image is produced. The image | | | | procedure. |
| and resolution produced by MRI is quite detailed | | | | D. Therefore, patients with any history of |
| and can detect tiny changes of structures within | | | | claustrophobia should make known this condition |
| the body. For some procedures, contrast agents, | | | | to the medical practitioner who is requesting the |
| such as gadolinium, are used to increase the | | | | test, as well as the radiological staff at the center |
| accuracy of the images. | | | | when the scan is being performed. |
| What are some uses of MRI? | | | | E. The staff at the center can administer a mild |
| MRI is primarily used in medical imaging to | | | | sedative prior to the MRI scan to help alleviate |
| demonstrate pathological or other physiological | | | | any feelings of claustrophobia. |
| alterations of living tissues. MRI also has uses | | | | F. It is normal and expected that the MRI staff |
| outside of the medical field, such as detecting | | | | will remain during MRI scan. Furthermore, there is |
| rock permeability to hydrocarbons and as a | | | | usually a means of communication with the staff |
| non-destructive testing method to characterize | | | | in the form of a buzzer held by the patient which |
| the quality of products such as produce and | | | | can be used for contact if the patient cannot |
| timber. | | | | tolerate the scan. |
| An MRI scan can be used as an extremely | | | | What happens after the scan? |
| accurate method of disease detection throughout | | | | After the MRI scanning is completed, the |
| the body. In the head, trauma to the brain can be | | | | computer generates visual images of the area of |
| seen as bleeding or swelling. Other abnormalities | | | | the body that was scanned. These images can be |
| often found include brain aneurysms, stroke, | | | | transferred to film (hard copy). A radiologist then |
| tumors of the brain, as well as tumors or | | | | interprets the images of the body and the |
| inflammation of the spine. Neurosurgeons use an | | | | interpretation is transmitted to the practitioner |
| MRI scan not only in defining brain anatomy but in | | | | who originally requested the MRI scan. At this |
| evaluating the integrity of the spinal cord after | | | | point the practitioner can then discuss the results |
| trauma. It is also used when considering problems | | | | with the appropriate individuals. |
| associated with the vertebrae or intervertebral | | | | The Future of MRI technology! |
| discs of the spine. An MRI scan can evaluate the | | | | Scientists are developing newer MRI scanners that |
| structure of the heart and aorta, where it can | | | | are smaller and more portable. These new |
| detect aneurysms or tears. It provides valuable | | | | scanners can be most useful in detecting |
| information on glands and organs within the | | | | infections and tumors of the soft tissues of the |
| abdomen, and accurate information about the | | | | hands, feet, elbows, and knees. The functionality |
| structure of the joints, soft tissues, and bones of | | | | and application of these scanners to medical |
| the body. Often, surgery can be deferred or | | | | practice is currently being researched and tested. |