MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a type of medical imaging procedure that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of various parts inside the body.

Your doctor may ask you to undergo an MRI scan to assess

• Musculoskeletal problems

• Sports injuries

• Brain

• Spinal cord

• Blood vessels

• Internal organs (heart, lungs, liver)

• Cancers, tumours or abnormal growth

There are two types of MRI systems, short bore and open MRI. Short bore MRI systems are shorter and wider and are more comfortable than conventional MRI systems. Open bore systems have an even wider space and can give an even better experience. One of the major benefit or MRI scan is that, unlike other imaging procedures, MRI avoids the need for exposure to harmful ionizing radiation.

Types

           An MRI can be used to evaluate brain, neck, and spinal cord problems. It can also help caregivers look at problems with your chest, heart, abdomen, joints, or blood vessels.

• Functional MRI (fMRI)

A functional MRI is a type of MRI. During an fMRI, the patient is asked to perform certain activities to help the neurosurgeons map the functional areas of the brain before surgery takes place.

• Breast MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to create detailed images of the breast tissue and any abnormalities that may present themselves. Breast MRI does not use ionizing radiation (used in X-rays).

Breast MRI is a non-invasive technique that is used to examine our patients at high risk for breast cancer. Breast MRI can catch areas of concern earlier and in ways not possible with other breast imaging techniques, giving our experts the ability to best diagnosis and treat breast cancers.

During the painless Breast MRI procedure, patients lie flat on their stomach for about 45 minutes with their breast inside a special platform to produce MRI images of the internal structure of their breast. Stanford performs most diagnostic breast MRIs at 3 Tesla, providing the clearest images possible.

Stanford also has a scanner to accommodate patients with larger body types. Our experts employ a wider 70 cm diameter scanner available by special request, compared to the 60 cm diameter of most conventional Breast MRIs. Please make requests for this system at time of scheduling, as it is only available at our hospital facility.

• Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of magnetic resonance technology (MRI) and intravenous (IV) contrast dye to visualize blood vessels. Contrast dye causes blood vessels to appear opaque on the MRI image, enabling the physician to visualize the blood vessels being evaluated. An MRA is often used to examine the heart and other soft tissues and to assess blood flow.

• Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV)

A diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of a large magnet, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. An MRV uses magnetic resonance technology and intravenous (IV) contrast dye to visualize the veins. Contrast dye causes the blood vessels to appear opaque on the X-ray image, allowing the physician to visualize the blood vessels being evaluated. MRV is useful in some cases because it can help detect causes of leg pain other than vein problems.

• Cardiac MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart, or a cardiac MRI, is a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of a large magnet, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of heart structures.

How is an MRI scan performed?

The scan is usually done as an outpatient procedure, which means that the patient can go home after the test. During the scan it is important to lie completely still. For this reason it might be necessary to give a child an anaesthetic before they are tested.

Since you are exposed to a powerful magnetic field during the MRI scan, it is important not to wear jewellery or any other metal objects.

An MRI scan is not suitable for the patient if they have electrical appliances, such an a ear implant, implantable cardioverter defibrillator or pacemaker, or have any metal in their body such as surgical clips.

But orthopaedic metal ware, such as artificial hips or bone screws, are not normally a problem.

Is an MRI scan dangerous?

There are no known dangers or side effects connected to an MRI scan. The test is not painful; you cannot feel it. Since radiation is not used, the procedure can be repeated without problems. There is a small theoretical risk to the foetus in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and therefore scans are not performed on pregnant women during this time.

Because patients have to lie inside a large cylinder while the scans are being made some people get claustrophobic during the test. Patients who are afraid this might happen should talk to the doctor beforehand, who may give them some medication to help them relax.

The machine also makes a banging noise while it is working, which might be unpleasant.