MRI is a powerful imaging machine that takes pictures of the insides of your body. It uses a combination of magnets and radio waves to create very detailed pictures.
Unlike x-rays, MRI does not use radiation, which can cause serious side effects. It’s also safe for pregnant women and babies.
No Radiation
MRIs use a strong magnetic field and low-energy radio waves to create images of internal structures. This is a much safer form of imaging than X-rays or CT scans, which expose patients to ionizing radiation.
When MRIs are used in radiotherapy, the low-energy radio waves allow the doctor to target the area of the tumor where it is positioned most efficiently. This means that treatment courses are shorter and more precise.
Another benefit of MRIs is that the patient isn’t exposed to ionizing radiation, which can damage cells. This type of radiation can ionize the water in tissues and interfere with other important functions.
For example, it can cause hearing problems if ear protection is not worn during the exam. It can also affect a person’s heart rate and blood flow.
Some people may be unable to receive an MRI because they have metal implants or other objects in their bodies. Implants can change the shape or position of organs, and they could obstruct the magnetic field.
You will need to inform the radiologist before your MRI about any medical devices or implants you have inside or outside of your body. This can help the radiologist ensure that the images are accurate and clear.
Many MRIs require the use of a contrast material, which is an injectable dye that makes certain areas of the body stand out. This is especially helpful in evaluating problems with joints or other parts of the body that have difficulty showing up on conventional MRIs.
Your healthcare provider can decide if you should have a contrast-enhanced MRI. If your doctor recommends it, they’ll ask you about your medical history and if you have any other conditions that may affect the use of the contrast. You may also be asked to avoid certain foods and medications before the MRI test.
You will need to lie still on a table that slides into the MRI scanner, which is a large metal tube that has a magnetic field surrounding it. Your doctor will give you medicine to relax you and will explain how the MRI works. You will hear a loud thumping noise when the machine is turned on, but you can wear ear plugs to muffle this sound.
Faster
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of medical scan that uses a large magnet and a radiofrequency signal to produce detailed images of the insides of the body. It is especially useful for scanning brains, spines and musculoskeletal systems, but is also used to detect many other conditions including cancer, pneumonia and internal injuries.
MRIs are generally considered more accurate and better at detecting abnormalities than other types of imaging tests, but they can be costly and can take a long time to process. Fortunately, researchers are working to find ways to reduce the time MRIs take, making them more accessible for patients.
One method of speeding up MRIs is by using AI technology. A study by NYU Langone Health and Facebook’s AI Research group has found that a machine learning algorithm can construct a high-quality MRI scan from just one-fourth of the data typically needed.
According to the researchers, this makes MRIs up to ten times faster than conventional methods and can increase the number of people who can receive them without increasing the risk of error. The team has also released the data, models and code of their work so other researchers can build on it and contribute new ideas to accelerate the adoption of fast MRIs.
Another promising technique is a way to remove noise from the source MRI signals, which allows it to be processed much more quickly and accurately. This technique, known as AIR Recon DL, was developed by GE Healthcare and is available in a new series of smart MRIs.
These machines feature a powerful AI system that can help improve image quality and speed up scans by removing noise, so they can be done in less time. This means doctors can examine more patients at once, and the patient experience will be improved too.
In addition to improving the experience for patients, these machines can also help hospitals handle a higher volume of cases as more patients are referred for personalized treatments that require more complex diagnostics. In the future, this could allow MRIs to become more useful in emergency situations where time is of the essence, such as during strokes and other brain trauma.
More Comfortable
MRIs are more comfortable than many other types of imaging tests. They are fast and usually last about 30 to 45 minutes, so you won’t spend a lot of time in the machine. They are also quieter than CT scans, which can make them more relaxing for people with hearing or visual impairments.
Your doctor may order an MRI to see certain parts of your body in more detail than an X-ray or a CT scan can provide. For example, a heart scan with an MRI can show the location of blood vessels and other structures inside your heart.
You will likely feel a little uncomfortable lying still in the MRI machine. Thankfully, the technicians at the medical imaging center where you receive your MRI will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable and put your mind at ease.
To start, you’ll need to remove all jewelry and metal, such as bracelets, rings, earrings, watches, and necklaces. You should also remove any credit cards or other personal belongings.
Next, you’ll need to lay down on a table that is connected to a MRI machine. The technologist will guide you into a comfortable position. When you’re ready, your doctor will insert the table into a doughnut-shaped opening in the MRI machine.
Once in the MRI machine, your doctor will turn the magnets on. You’ll hear a muffled “thumping” sound for several minutes as your doctor takes pictures of the area being scanned.
During the MRI, you may be given a dye (contrast agent) to enhance the appearance of certain tissues on the images. This can help the radiologist better understand your condition and make it easier to diagnose and treat it.
Some medical devices or implantations in your body can make the detailed images blurry, making them more difficult to read by the radiologist. Examples of these include intrauterine devices, such as a hysterectomy device; medical implants that have metal parts in them, such as an implanted bladder stimulator or a cochlear implant; or blood clot filters.
If you have claustrophobia, your doctor can recommend an MRI with a larger bore, called an open bore. These newer MRIs do not fully surround you, so you can stand or move around more easily during the exam. You should ask your radiologist about this option before scheduling an MRI.
More Accurate
MRIs provide much better images of soft tissue than X-rays. This means that they are more accurate at detecting cancer, abnormal bleeding, inflammation and infection in most organs. They are also more accurate at detecting fractures and injuries of the head, spine, chest or abdomen.
Unlike CT scans, which use X-rays to take pictures of the inside of your body, MRIs do not use radiation. Instead, they use radio waves to re-align hydrogen atoms in the body.
The hydrogen atoms are naturally occurring and do not cause any chemical changes when they return to their normal alignment. They emit different amounts of energy depending on the type of tissue they are in, and the MRI scanner detects this information.
However, there is some radiation from the MRI scanner, which can be harmful to your health if you’re exposed to it for long periods of time. If you’re concerned about this, ask your doctor about a safer imaging test such as a CT scan.
Because MRIs require you to remain still for a while, you may experience some discomfort or even feel hot. You may be given earplugs or music to help block the noise from the magnet.
Besides imaging soft tissues, MRIs are also useful for analyzing the brain, spine, nerves, muscles and tendons. They can identify problems in the lungs, breasts and abdominal areas, and they can detect tumors, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and blood clots.
Another important advantage of MRIs is their ability to see structures that are moving. This can be difficult for X-rays and CTs to do.
A special type of MRI called functional MRI is especially useful for identifying the parts of the brain that control certain tasks, such as tapping your thumb on your fingers or rubbing a piece of paper. This enables doctors to pinpoint the problem areas and then treat them accordingly.
Because standard MRIs are limited by their inability to image fluid that is moving, doctors often use an MR angiogram or a contrast dye called gadolinium to see the arteries and veins. This helps them identify any problems with the arteries or veins, such as an arteriovenous malformation.