MRI

What is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)?

MRI is a noninvasive painless medical test that helps in diagnosing and treating medical conditions. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays). MRI uses radio waves, a strong magnetic field and a computer to produce detailed images of organs, bone, soft tissues and virtually all other internal body structures.

• In general, MRI is used to:
  • Determine exactly what the problem is inside the body
  • Show exactly where the problem is
  • Rule out certain diseases
  
• MRI also:
  • Provides images of the internal structure of the eye and ear
  • Produces detailed images of the heart and major blood vessels
  • Provides images of blood flow in the circulatory system
  • Produces detailed images of joints and soft tissues, particularly of cartilage, ligaments and tendons within joints such as the knee

Because MRI produces images in any plane, it is particularly valuable in studying the brain and spinal cord and pinpointing even the smallest abnormality there. Because the water and fat content of tumors is different from surrounding normal tissue, MRI can reveal the precise location and size of tumors.

Preparation
No extraordinary preparation needs to be taken in order for you to have an MRI, however. It is recommended that you where comfortable attire. You may in some instances, be required to change into a gown. It is also recommended that jewelry, piercings (including body piercings) and other accessories be removed prior to your MRI scan. Because the MRI unit uses a magnetic field, no metal objects or electronic objects are allowed in the exam room as they may interfere with the magnetic field that is used to obtain images. Examples of these items would include:

• Jewelry, watches, credit cards and hearing aids, all of which could be damaged by the magnetic field
• Pins, hairpins, metal zippers and similar metallic items which may distort the images
• Removable dental work
• Pens, pocketknives and eyeglasses

The technologist performing the exam will remind you to remove any of these aforementioned items prior to your MRI exam. These items can then be locked in your dressing room. If you suffer from claustrophobia or anxiety, you may want to ask your physician for a prescription for a mild sedative. This will help relax you throughout the procedure.

During the Exam
To begin the exam, you will typically lie face up on the scan table. You may have to rest the body part being examined into what’s called a coil. A coil, which helps produce the images, is a comfortable padded device which generally rest on the actual exam area. When the machine starts to work, you'll hear some loud knocking sounds. These sounds occur whenever the MRI pictures are being taken. Some MRI facilities provide headphones with music to help block out the knocking sounds.

In any case, although it's noisy, an MRI exam is painless. The only thing you must do is HOLD STILL. If you move, the scans may be blurry; if this occurs you may have to repeat parts of the exam.

If necessary, you may be injected with a substance called a contrast agent. This allows the radiologist to see the image more clearly. MRI contrast agents typically have few or no side effects, and the injection likely will just feel like a slight pinch. You may be asked to give your consent to this injection, at which time a more detailed explanation about the contrast agent will be given to you by the technologist.

General Contraindications
During your initial scheduling process and prior to entering the MRI suite, you or the physician’s office ordering the exam will be asked certain questions to make sure that there is no potential risk involved in performing the study. Although MRI is extremely safe, there are some circumstances in which particular care must be taken. Examples of some, but not all possiblecontraindications would include:

• Pacemakers
• Aneurysm Clips
• Bio Stimulators
• Shunts
• Stents
• Metal fragments in eyes

If you have any of the above, you should inform the technologist immediately. The technologist performing your study will review these items with you prior to your MRI exam.

*If there is a chance of pregnancy you should inform the technologist.

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