What is MRI scan used for?
MRI scan is most useful for scanning the brain and spinal cord. It is also used to scan the chest, abdomen, blood vessel and bones.
MRI scan helps to diagnose various medical conditions and diseases. It detects any abnormalities such as tumors, infection, injury, bleeding or diseases of the blood vessels. An MRI scan may also be performed to examine a problem that has been detected in an x-ray, CT scan or ultrasound scan.
How is an MRI scan performed?
An MRI scan is performed by an MRI technologist. The patient is required to lie down on a narrow table that goes into an MRI scan machine. The patient’s head, chest, and arms may be strapped to keep the patient still during the procedure. The table then slides into the MRI machine that contains the magnet. The area that needs to be scanned may be wrapped with a tool called coil. A belt may be used to monitor the breathing and heartbeat of the patient. This prompts the MRI scanner to perform the scan at the accurate time.
During an MRI scan, contrast dyes may be used to enhance the visibility of any abnormalities that are inspected. It is provided though an IV line into the patient’s arm.
During the MRI scan, the patients may be given earplugs to keep out the noise produced by the MRI machine. The patient is required to be completely still during the procedure. From time to time, the patient may also need to hold the breath for short intervals. The technologist will be able to watch the patient through a window. The patient can talk to the technologist during the MRI scan by means of a two-way intercom.
Claustrophobic patients may be given sedatives to help them relax during the MRI scan. There are some open MRI scanners in which the magnet does not surround the patient’s body. However, these kinds of scanners are not easily available. Even the images produced by an open MRI may be of a slightly inferior quality than those produced by a standard MRI scanner.
How to prepare for an MRI scan?
- The patient should inform the doctor about their medical conditions such as pregnancy. The doctor should also be informed:
- If the patient contains metal pieces in the body, e.g. bullet or shrapnel injury, etc.
- If the patient contains electronic devices in the body, e.g. cardiac pacemaker, etc.
- If the patient has had prior surgery
- Patients are required to remove all metal jewelry and electronic devices that they have with them.
- If the patient is undergoing an MRI scan for the examination of the bile ducts, known as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRPC), consumption of solid and liquid food is stopped 2 to 3 hours before the test.
- Contrast dyes may be used to enhance the visibility of any abnormalities that are inspected. It is provided though an IV line into the patient’s arm.
