Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet and radio waves to look at organs and structures inside your body. Health care professionals use MRI scans to diagnose a variety of conditions, from torn ligaments to tumors . MRIs are very useful for examining the brain and spinal cord.
Why is MRI used for diagnosis and treatment?
An MRI helps a doctor diagnose a disease or injury , and it can monitor how well you're doing with a treatment. MRIs can be done on different parts of your body. It's especially useful for looking at soft tissues and the nervous system.
What is an MRI scan used to diagnose?
MRI can be used to detect brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, developmental anomalies , multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, infection, and the causes of headache.
What conditions can an MRI detect?
MRI can detect a variety of conditions of the brain such as cysts, tumors, bleeding, swelling, developmental and structural abnormalities, infections , inflammatory conditions, or problems with the blood vessels. It can determine if a shunt is working and detect damage to the brain caused by an injury or a stroke.
What are reasons to get an MRI?
- Spinal cord disorders.
- Brain tumors.
- Stroke.
- Cerebral vessels aneurysms.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Trauma-induced brain injury.
Can MRI results be seen immediately?
This means it's unlikely you'll get the results of your scan immediately . The radiologist will send a report to the doctor who arranged the scan, who will discuss the results with you. It usually takes a week or two for the results of an MRI scan to come through, unless they're needed urgently.
Can an MRI show nerve damage?
An MRI may be able help identify structural lesions that may be pressing against the nerve so the problem can be corrected before permanent nerve damage occurs. Nerve damage can usually be diagnosed based on a neurological examination and can be correlated by MRI scan findings.
Does MRI show inflammation?
MRI allows to assess the soft tissue and bone marrow involvement in case of inflammation and/or infection . MRI is capable of detecting more inflammatory lesions and erosions than US, X-ray, or CT.
What should you not do before an MRI?
- Don't Get Any New Piercings. When you go in for your MRI, you'll need to remove any body piercings or earrings. ...
- Don't Disregard Doctor's Instructions. ...
- Don't Disrupt Your Schedule.
Are MRIs bad for you?
An MRI machine uses powerful magnets that can attract any metal in your body. If this happens, you could get hurt . It can also damage equipment that's implanted in your body — a pacemaker or cochlear implant, for instance. Also, metal can reduce the quality of the MRI image.
Does MRI show all problems?
Possible findings. It is possible that an MRI may show that everything is completely normal ; however, there are several things that could be seen on an MRI and this will vary depending on where in the body the scan is being done. An MRI is very good at showing up problems with soft tissues such as muscles and ligaments ...
What can an MRI show that a CT scan Cannot?
Where MRI really excels is showing certain diseases that a CT scan cannot detect. Some cancers, such as prostate cancer , uterine cancer, and certain liver cancers, are pretty much invisible or very hard to detect on a CT scan. Metastases to the bone and brain also show up better on an MRI.
What Neurological Disorders Can an MRI detect?
MRI is used to diagnose stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain and spinal cord tumors , inflammation, infection, vascular irregularities, brain damage associated with epilepsy, abnormally developed brain regions, and some neurodegenerative disorders.
What are the side effects of MRI scan?
There are no known side effects from an MRI scan . Patients with claustrophobia or anxiety may be given a sedative medicine to relax during the process and any medication can have side effects. Make sure to tell your doctor of any allergies you may have to avoid negative reactions to medication.
Can you ask for an MRI?
Patients with back and neck pain frequently ask their doctor if they need an MRI scan to diagnose and treat their problem. Their doctors answer “no” for most of these cases. There are many reasons why their doctors should not make MRIs a routine order.
Does your whole body go in for pelvic MRI?
During Your Procedure
You will change into a hospital gown. You will lie on the scanning table headfirst with arms at your side. Coils (special devices to improve image quality) may be placed on or around your abdomen. The scanning table will slide your whole body into the magnet .
