What is MRI Scan?

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is MRI Scan used for?

Doctors use MRI scans to identify a wide range of problems, including torn ligaments and tumours. MRI scan of the body produces detailed pictures of the body's interior by combining a powerful magnetic field and radio waves. It helps in the diagnosis or monitoring of a variety of chest, abdomen, and pelvis diseases.

Understanding the test results of MRI Scan Test

MRI results may take a few days to come depending on the facility. Ask your healthcare provider or MRI technician about the period you have to wait and what you should consider about possible results.

Radiologists interpret MRI scans and send a radiology report to the doctor to review the key findings and recommend future steps.

Why do I need an MRI Scan?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examines the organs and structures inside your body using a powerful magnet and radio waves. Health care providers use MRI scans to diagnose several disorders, ranging from torn ligaments to tumours. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is beneficial for studying the brain and spinal cord.

What happens during MRI Scan?

A table slides into a large cylinder used for the MRI scan and contains a magnet during the test, generating a strong magnetic field when operated.

Soft tissue consists of water molecules, and the magnetic field interacts with microscopic particles present in water called protons. When an MRI scanner sends radio waves into soft tissue, magnetized protons create an echo.

Does an MRI show nerve damage?

MRI may assist in identifying structural abnormalities pressing on the nerve, allowing for treatment before irreversible nerve damage develops. Typically, neurological examination diagnoses nerve injury corroborated by MRI scan results. It helps in identifying the nerve damage as and when detected in the MRI.

Can MRI results be seen immediately?

The radiographer will go through the scans and interpret them. They will then call the physician to inform them of the results. This process might take many days unless the scan was an emergency. Individuals may seek to view their scans by contacting their doctor. The doctor may determine that a follow-up scan is necessary and explain why.

Can an MRI detect metastasis?

Brain metastases are critical for the early staging of patients with systemic cancer. In certain circumstances, detected brain metastases clinically through new neurological signs and symptoms, consequently indicating imaging in these patients.

Increased access to whole-body MRI allows for the most sensitive detection of bone marrow metastases and tumour extension outside the bone marrow.

Can an MRI detect inflammation?

In cases of inflammation and infection, MRI enables the assessment of soft tissue and bone marrow involvement. MRI is more sensitive than ultrasonography, X-ray, or CT at detecting inflammatory lesions and erosions.

Inflammation can be seen on a brain MRI scan. Inflammation-affected areas absorb a contrast agent called gadolinium and appear brightly on MRI.

Does an MRI cover the whole body?

MRI scan is the most precise, effective, and safe diagnostic imaging technology available. Without ionising radiation, MRI produces more detailed and more accurate results. While MRI is very successful at imaging specific body parts such as the spine, liver, or brain, it can scan the complete body for physical anomalies, tumours in their early stages of development, or simply a snapshot of one's overall health.

Is MRI harmful?

An MRI scan is a non-invasive radiology technique that avoids the use of x-ray radiation. An MRI scan has no known negative impacts. The benefits of an MRI scan relate to its accuracy in identifying structural abnormalities in the body.

MRI creates detailed images of organs and other internal body structures.