Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within your body.

Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets. When you lie inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field temporarily aligns all the water molecules in your body. Radio waves cause these aligned particles to produce very faint signals.

These are used to create cross-sectional MRI images that are combined to produce excellent 3-D images of your body organs.

The MRI machine creates a strong magnetic field around you, and radio waves are directed at your body. The procedure is painless. You do not feel the magnetic field or radio waves, and there are no moving parts around you.

An MRI typically lasts about an hour. You must hold very still because movement can blur the resulting images. In some cases, contrast agents are injected into your veins to enhance the appearance of certain tissues or blood vessels in the images.

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

When do you need a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan?

MRI’s produce high-resolution images that help diagnose a variety of problems.

MRI of the brain and spinal cord can be used to diagnose tumors, developmental abnormalities, aneurysms, stroke, pituitary gland diseases, multiple sclerosis, dementia progression and spinal cord injuries

Functional MRI of the brain (fMRI) identifies important language and movement control areas in the brain in people who are being considered for brain surgery.

An MRI that focuses on the heart or blood vessels can assess:

• The size and thickness of walls in the heart's chambers,
• The extent of damage caused by heart attack or heart disease,
• The buildup of plaques and blockages in the blood vessels, and
• Structural problems in the aorta, such as aneurysms or dissection.

An MRI may be used to check for tumors or other abnormalities of the lungs, liver, kidneys and the other main body organs.

MRI may be used to help evaluate bone conditions such as:

• Joint disorders, such as arthritis,
• Joint abnormalities caused by traumatic or repetitive injuries,
• Disk abnormalities in the spine, and
• Bone infections

An MRI in addition to mammography can be used to detect breast cancer, particularly in women who have dense breast tissue or who may be at high risk of the disease.

As you can see, your doctor can use an MRI to detect any issues in any part your body.

What are the Risks in a Magnetic resonance imaging scan?

For most individuals, there are no known harmful effects from exposure to the magnetic field or radio waves used in making MRI images.

However, for pregnant women, if contrast material is used, they should not breast feed for up to 48 hours. It is also in very rare cases for contrast material to cause hives and itching.

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