MRI - Overview & Technique

MRI - Alternative Names and Explanations

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is also known as MR, MRI scan, MR scan, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR or NMRI).  This is a machine (or modality) used by radiologists to take pictures of the inside of the patient's body.  Images are made after a magnet creates a strong magnetic field to orient the hydrogen atoms.  Radiofrequency (RF) pulses are then sent into the body.  When the RF pulse bounce back out, they are slightly altered and read by the MRI's detectors.  After we scan MRI, the data is sent from the detectors to computers which undergo complex calculations and create images. 

MRI - Benefits & Risks versus Other Diagnostic Tests

MRI Benefits

• MRIs are a non-invasive image meaning that they do not involve ionizing radiation.  There is no hard to the patient's body.  Ultrasound also does not have ionizing radiation as well.  X rays, CT Scans, and fluoroscopy do however have radiation risks.
• MRI images have very high contrast resolution.  This means that they can visualizes tissue differences very easily.  They can distringuish tendon tears, tumors, and other diseases.
• MRI scans can diagnose a very wide variety of diseases including rotator cuff tears, spine disorders, lumbar spine pain, sciatica, disc bulges, shoulder pain, and knee pain.
• MRI is become much more inexpensive each day!  MRI cost is rarely a prohibiting factor.  It is becoming easier to find a cheap MRI every day!
• MRI often obviates the need for contrast or invasive testing like arthroscopy or surgery.
• MRI almost never causes allergic reactions.
• The list is endless

MRI Risks

• MRI contains no ionizing radiation. To date, there have been no documented significant side effects of the magnetic fields and radio waves used on the human body.
• The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. The person operating the machine will monitor your heart rate and breathing as needed.
• MRI is usually not recommended for acute trauma situations, because traction and life-support equipment cannot safely enter the scanner area and the exam can take quite a bit of time.
• People have been harmed in MRI machines when they did not remove metal objects from their clothes or when metal objects were left in the room by others.

Common Positive Findings

• tumors of the brain, developmental anomalies of the brain, vascular anomalies of the head (aneurysm for example).
• organs of the chest and abdomen—including the heart, liver, biliary tract, kidney, spleen, and pancreas and adrenal glands.pelvic organs including the reproductive organs in the male (prostate and testicles) and the female (uterus, cervix and ovaries).blood vessels (MR Angiography). breasts.
• assess the spinal anatomy, visualize anatomical variations and diseased tissue in the spine, help plan surgeries on the spine such as decompression of a pinched nerve or spinal fusion.
• Physicians use the MR examination to help diagnose or monitor treatment for conditions such as:
• tumors of the chest, abdomen or pelvis. certain types of heart problems.blockages or enlargements of blood vessels, including the aorta, renal arteries, and arteries in the legs.diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, and that of other abdominal organs, including the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreatic ducts.cysts and solid tumors in the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract.tumors and other abnormalities of the reproductive organs (e.g., uterus, ovaries, testicles, prostate).causes of pelvic pain in women, such as fibroids, endometriosis and adenomyosis. suspected uterine congenital abnormalitynomalies in women undergoing evaluation for infertility.breast cancer and implants.

MRI Costs:

Diagnostic imaging is actually a great cost-saver in medicine.  Many people don't think about it but radiology and medical imaging are DIAGNOSTIC tests.  This means that they are done to diagnose the exact reason for the patient's challenges.  In general, diagnostic tests help the patient find out the exact reason of the challenge.  It is much better to understand the exact problem, than to spend great amounts of time, energy, and efforts on THERAPEUTIC options like surgery and medications.  Archer Radiology is surprisingly resourceful in getting patients the LOWEST COST MRI in town.  If you can find a better deal within a 30 mile radius, we'll do our best to match or beat any competitor's prices!

• If you are looking for professional radiology services or MRI Reader (MRI radiologist) at your imaging center (imaging site), call us at 1-800-626-8315 or contact us via our CONTACT FORM.

• If you are looking to schedule a radiology examination (MRI, CT Scan, Ultrasound, X ray, or PET scan), CLICK HERE.

• If you are in search of other things, we're surprisingly resourceful!  Call us at 1-800-626-8315 or contact us via our CONTACT FORM.

• mri
• show_title= link_titles= show_intro= show_section= link_section= show_category= link_category= show_vote= show_author= show_create_date= show_modify_date= show_pdf_icon=0 show_print_icon=0 show_email_icon=0 language= keyref= readmore=
• MRI, MRI scan, scan MRI, MRI risks, MRI benefits, MRI information, mri tumors, mri radiation, mri allergic reaction, mri cancer
• MRI definition, importance, and benefits. Schedule an MRI today!
• robots= author=