WHAT IS AN MRI SCAN

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scientific imaging approach that makes use of magnetic fields and computer-generated radio waves to create precise images of the organs and tissues in your body.

Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets. When you lie in an MRI machine, the magnetic field briefly realigns water molecules in your body. Radio waves lead these aligned atoms to produce faint signals, which are used to create cross-sectional MRI images.

The MRI Machine can additionally produce 3D pictures that can be evaluated from various angles.

WHY AN MRI IS DONE?
MRI is a noninvasive way for your healthcare practitioner to look at your organs, tissues and skeletal system. It produces high-resolution images of the inside of the body that assist in diagnosing a variety of problems.

MRI of the brain and spinal cord
MRI is the most often used imaging to take a look at the brain and spinal cord.

It's often performed to assist in diagnosing:

• Aneurysms of cerebral vessels
• Disorders of the eye and inner ear
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal-cord disorders
• Brain Stroke
• Tumors (Malignant and Benin)
• Brain damage due to trauma

A specific kind of MRI is the functional MRI of the brain (fMRI). It produces images of blood flowing through vessels to certain areas of the brain. It can be used to have a look at the brain's anatomy and determine which parts of the brain are managing crucial functions.

This helps identify important language and motion control areas in the brains of patients being considered for neuro/brain surgery. Functional MRIs are also used to assess damage from a trauma or from degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

MRI of the heart and blood vessels
• Size and features of the heart's chambers
• Thickness and movement of the partitions of the heart
• Extent of injury brought on by way of coronary heart attacks or coronary heart disease
• Structural issues in the aorta, such as aneurysms or dissections
• Inflammation or blockages in the blood vessels

MRI of other internal organs

• Liver and bile ducts
• Kidneys
• Spleen
• Pancreas
• Uterus
• Ovaries
• Prostate

MRI of bones and joints
• Joint abnormalities or injuries, such as torn cartilage or ligaments
• Disk abnormalities in the spine
• Bone infections
• Tumors of the bones and tender tissues

MRI of the breasts
MRI can be used with mammography to notice breast cancer, in particular in women who have dense breast tissue or who might be at high danger of the disease.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MRI
Because MRI makes use of powerful magnets, the presence of steel in your body can be a safety hazard if attracted to the magnet. Even if no longer attracted to the magnet, metallic objects can distort the MRI image. Before having an MRI, you will probably complete a questionnaire that includes whether or not you have metallic or digital devices in your body.

Unless the machine you have is certified as MRI-safe, you may no longer be able to have an MRI.

Devices include:

• Metallic joint prostheses
• An implanted heart defibrillator
• Artificial heart valves
• Implanted drug infusion pumps
• Implanted nerve stimulators
• A pacemaker
• Metal clips
• Metal pins, screws, plates, stents or surgical staples
• Cochlear implants
• A bullet, shrapnel or any other type of steel fragment
• Intrauterine device

If you have tattoos or permanent makeup, ask your doctor whether or not they may affect your MRI results.

Before you schedule an MRI, tell your doctor if you think you are pregnant. The consequences of magnetic fields on fetuses don't seem to be nicely understood. Your doctor might advocate an alternative exam or suspend the MRI. Also inform your doctor if you're breast-feeding, specifically if you're to get hold of contrast cloth during the procedure.

It's additionally vital to talk about kidney or liver issues with your doctor and the technologist.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR AN MRI EXAM?
Before an MRI exam, you can continue your normal lifestyle and eat normally until otherwise instructed. You will be requested to wear a gown and to take away below given things that might affect the magnetic imaging, such as:

• Jewellery
• Hairpins
• Eyeglasses
• Watches
• Wigs
• Dentures
• Hearing aids
• Underwire bras
• Cosmetics that contain steel particles

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING AN MRI EXAM
The MRI machine looks like a long slim tube that has each end open. You lie down on a table which is movable and slides into the opening of the tube. A technologist monitors you from another room. You can talk with the person with the aid of a microphone.

If you have a concern about enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), you may be given a drug to help you experience sleepiness and much less anxiety. Most patients go through the exam without much difficulty.

The MRI machine creates a strong magnetic field around you, and radio waves are directed at your body. The procedure is painless. You don't sense the magnetic area or radio waves, and there are no moving parts around you.

During the MRI scan, the interior section of the magnet produces repetitive tapping, thumping and other noises. You might be given earplugs or have a tune playing to assist block the noise.

In some cases, a contrast dye, generally gadolinium, will be injected via an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your hand or arm. The contrast dye enhances some specific details.

Gadolinium rarely causes allergic reactions in some people.

An MRI exam may last anywhere from 15 minutes to more than an hour. You have to keep still due to the fact motion can blur the resulting images.

During a functional MRI, you may be requested to perform a number of small tasks — such as tapping your thumb in opposition to your fingers, rubbing a block of sandpaper or answering simple questions. This helps pinpoint the parts of your brain that control these actions.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE TEST?
If you haven't been sedated, you can resume your common lifestyle right after the scan.

RESULTS
A physician in particular educated to interpret MRIs (radiologist) will analyze the MRI images from your scan and document the findings to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss important findings and next steps with you.