MRIs: How and When They Are Used
MRIs or magnetic resonance imaging is a non-invasive imaging procedure that will produce an image of the body’s internal structures. Before undergoing this procedure, it is important knowing how and when MRIs are used in medical imaging and for diagnosis.
Learn more about NuChoice’s MRI services.
What Is an MRI?
An MRI is a non-invasive procedure used in imaging in order to make a diagnosis or for disease detection. From this diagnosis, your doctor can prescribe a treatment plan.
How Does an MRI Work?
When receiving an MRI, the patient is placed on a table that slowly moves through a circular, tube-shaped machine. There is a magnetic field throughout the machine that temporarily realigns the water molecules within the part of the body being imaged. Through this realignment by the machine’s created radio waves, the molecules create signals that create an image.
The images that are produced are cross-sectional to build an entire image that is black and white. The image is entirely produced and read by a radiologist who will then send the results back to your doctor for proper diagnosis.
Why Is an MRI Used?
Anyone of any age may need to undergo an MRI. From young children to older adults, almost anyone can have a condition that is easily diagnosable using an MRI machine.
Learn more about preparing young children for an MRI.
MRIs are extremely useful in getting a diagnosis within the head and neck, the spine, and the arteries and veins in the body. They are also used to diagnose a number of illnesses, medical issues, and other diagnoses. Some of those diagnoses include:
Tumors
Cancers
Dementia
Aneurysms
Brain Injury & Brain Trauma
Pinched Nerves
Arthritis
Stroke
MRIs might be the preferred choice in medical imaging as the scan provides a clearer image of the finer structures within the body. The image is clearer than those produced by x-rays and CT scans.
What Are the Risks of MRI?
Unlike X-rays, when you receive an MRI, you are not exposed to any kind of radiation throughout the procedure.
Before the imaging is done, you should notify the imaging team and your doctor of any electronic devices implanted in your body prior to your MRI procedures being scheduled. These electronic devices may be affected by the MRI, and in some cases, the device may not be safe to enter the MRI suite. If you had an accident in which metal shavings entered your eyes, orbital x-rays will be necessary to assure your safety prior to the exam.
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, you should notify and speak to your doctor as the procedure may need to be rescheduled.
During your MRI procedure, your doctor may decide to use contrast material in order to get a better look at the part of the body being imaged. If you might be allergic to this substance or have had prior reactions, please notify your doctor before the procedure.
What are the advantages of MRI?
Some advantages to receiving an MRI scan are that you will not be exposed to any level of radiation during this procedure. On top of this, the procedure is non-invasive meaning that your skin will not be cut into with any medical tools. The patient will also be awake during this procedure with the exception of sedatives in the case of anxiety which will be determined by a doctor prior to the appointment.
MRI scans can also take images of almost every part of the body which will help in the diagnosis of any medical issue. The advancements in this type of imaging produce an image that is clear enough to differentiate between the different parts of the body from bones, tissues, and fat.
How to Prepare for an MRI
Before your appointment, you should eat and drink as normal along with any medications that you would normally take. Your doctor and technician will notify you if you need to fast for any reason before your imaging appointment.
You should arrive at your appointment in comfortable clothing that is easily removable as you will be asked to wear a cloth gown. It’s best if you leave any rings, necklaces, earrings, or other jewelry at home as you will be asked to remove it at your appointment.
During an MRI, you may experience some claustrophobia or anxiety as the imaging can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to over an hour. If you require any sort of anti-anxiety medication for the appointment, speak to your doctor before.
After the patient is laying on the table, they will be given protective headphones to be worn for the duration of the imaging appointment.
Learn more here about preparing a child for an MRI.
Affordable Medical Imaging in Midland, TX
For affordable, convenient, and fast medical imaging in Midland, Texas, choose NuChoice Imaging. Talk to your doctor about referring you to us for all of your imaging needs.
Learn more about the rest of our services here.