MRI Services

Magnetic resonance imaging, MRI is a non-invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulse and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed or copied to CD. MRI does not use ionizing radiaton (x-rays).

Detailed MR images allow physicians to better evaluate parts of the body and certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography also called CT or CAT scanning.

Benifits

  • MRI is a noninvasive imaging technique that does not involve exposure to radiation.
  • MR images of the soft-tissue structures of the body—such as the heart, liver and many other organs— are more likely to identify and characterize abnormalities and focal lesions than other imaging methods. This detail makes MRI an invaluable tool in early diagnosis and evaluation of many focal lesions and tumors.
  • MRI has proven valuable in diagnosing a broad range of conditions, including cancer, heart and vascular disease, and muscular and bone abnormalities.
  • MRI enables the detection of abnormalities that might be obscured by bone with other imaging methods.
  • MRI allows physicians to assess the biliary system non-invasively and without contrast injection.
  • The contrast material used in MRI exams is less likely to produce an allergic reaction than the iodine-based materials used for conventional x-rays and CT scanning.
  • MRI provides a fast, noninvasive alternative to x-ray angiography for diagnosing problems of the heart and blood vessels.

Risks

  • The MRI examination poses almost no risk to the average patient when appropriate safety guidelines are followed.
  • If sedation is used there are risks of excessive sedation. The technologist or nurse monitors your vital signs to minimize this risk.
  • Although the strong magnetic field is not harmful in itself, medical devices that contain metal may malfunction or cause problems during an MRI exam.
  • There is a very slight risk of an allergic reaction if contrast material is injected. Such reactions usually are mild and easily controlled by medication.
  • Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is currently a recognized, but rare, complication of MRI believed to be caused by the injection of high doses of MRI contrast material in patients with poor kidney function.

How Does The Procedure Work?

Unlike conventional x-ray examinations and computed tomography (CT) scans, MRI does not depend on radiation. Instead, while in the magnet, radio waves redirect the axes of spinning protons, which are the nuclei of hydrogen atoms, in a strong magnetic field.

The magnetic field is produced by passing an electric current through wire coils in most MRI units. Other coils, located in the machine and in some cases, placed around the part of the body being imaged, send and receive radio waves, producing signals that are detected by the coils.

A computer then processes the signals and generates a series of images each of which shows a thin slice of the body. The images can then be studied from different angles by the interpreting physician.

Overall, the differentiation of abnormal (diseased) tissue from normal tissues is often easier with MRI than with other imaging modalities such as x-ray, CT and ultrasound.

Common Uses Of MRI Procedure

MR imaging of the body is performed to evaluate:

  • Organs of the chest, abdomen and pelvis—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).
  • Pelvic and hip bones.
  • Blood vessels (MR Angiography).
  • Breasts.

Physicians use the MR examination to help diagnose or monitor treatment for conditions such as:

  • Tumors of the chest, abdomen or pelvis.
  • Coronary artery disease and heart problems including the aorta, coronary arteries and blood vessels, by examining the size and thickness of the chambers of the heart and the extent of damage caused by a heart attack or progressive heart disease. For more information, visit the MR Angiography and Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring pages.
  • Tumors and other abnormalities of the reproductive organs (e.g., uterus, ovaries, testicles, prostate).
  • Causes of pelvic pain in women, such as endometriosis.
  • Functional and anatomical abnormalities of the heart.
  • Diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, and that of other abdominal organs (when a complete diagnostic assessment can not be done with other techniques).
  • Congenital arterial and venous vascular anomalies and diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis) of the chest, abdomen and pelvis (MR Angiography).
  • Conditions involving the bile duct, gallbladder and pancreatic ducts (MRCP).
  • Breast cancer and implants.