Advanced Open MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive way to view organs, tissues, bones, and other structures inside the body. It uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce internal images of the body. Unlike X-ray and CT scans, MRI machines produce cross sectional, 3D images of the body without using the use of radiation. MR imaging is used to diagnose many different types of diseases including heart and vascular disease, stroke, muscle and skeletal (bone) disorders and cancer.
ADVANCED OPEN MRI
In Open MRI, a patient lays on a table that slides into the area that contains the magnet, which uses radio waves and pulses to take pictures of organs and structures inside the body. It states that an open MRI machine is typically used for patients who are claustrophobic or overweight. However, not all medical centers can provide this type of MRI.
- MRI is particularly useful for the scanning and detection of abnormalities in soft tissue structures in the body like the cartilage tissues and soft organs like the brain or the heart.
- MRI gives extremely clear, detailed images of soft-tissue structures that other imaging techniques cannot achieve.
- MRI scan can provide information about the blood circulation throughout the body and blood vessels and also enabling the detection of problems related to the blood circulation.
- MRI can easily create hundreds of images from almost any direction and in any orientation. Unlike techniques that examine small parts of the body (i.e. ultrasound or mammography) MRI exams can cover large portions of the body.
Why It Is Done
MR imaging of the body is performed to evaluate: organs of the chest and abdomen—including the heart, blood vessels (including MR Angiography) and lymph nodes. liver, biliary tract, kidneys, spleen, bowel, pancreas, and adrenal glands. pelvic organs including the bladder and the reproductive organs such as the uterus and ovaries in females and the prostate gland in males,
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen is done to:
- Find problems or tumors in the abdominal organs and tissues. In some cases, MRI can tell if a tumor is noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
- Check lower abdominal and pelvic organs for tumors, bleeding, or problems present since birth (congenital abnormalities).
- Find a blocked tube or stones in the tube that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder (bile duct).
- Check organs and blood vessels prior to organ transplantation or surgery.
How do I prepare for my scan?
No special preparation is required, however they do ask you to have nothing to eat or drink before the scan. You may continue to take any medication as normal. If you are having a scan of your abdomen you will be asked to fast for four hours before your scan. Prior to your scan , you will be asked to Please inform if you have any of the following:
- cardiac pacemakers,
- artificial heart valves,
- if there is any possibility of metal fragments in your eyes,
- implanted drug infusion ports,
- implanted electronic devices,
- electronic and magnetically activated implants,
- you are or maybe pregnant.
- you have had recent surgery
- you have a history of any renal (kidney) problems
- metal pins, screws, plates or surgical staples.
The staff will then determine whether it is possible to go ahead with the exam. It is very important to be accurate. You may be asked to provide additional information about implants before a decision on safety can be made. They will supply you with a gown to wear during the examination, however, you can if you prefer wear your own clothes as long as they have no metal buttons or zips, (Pyjama’s are always an option). You will be asked to remove any loose metal objects, credit cards and watches. The scan will usually take approximately 30 minutes for each part of the body being scanned. This can vary depending on the exact nature of the scan.
What can I expect during MRI scan?
The Radiographer will position you on the table of the scanner. A surface coil may be positioned around the part of the body being studied (e.g. the shoulder). Surface coils act like an antenna to receive the radio waves from the scanner. Once you are properly positioned the table will begin moving you into the scanner until the area being studied is in the centre of the magnet. During some scans it is possible for you to lay on your side enabling you to have a clear view out of the scanner. It is important that you remain completely still during the study. You may even be asked to hold your breath. This is because movement can blur the images, making the study less accurate. We will communicate with you via intercom throughout the entire scan. You will hear a wide range of sounds during the scan procedure including banging, buzzing and rumbling noises. Do not worry – these noises are normal and earplugs or headphones will be provided by them.
Advantages
- No Radiation unlike CT/X-Ray : MRI is non-invasive and does not use radiation. There is no involvement of any kind of radiations in the MRI, so it is safe for the people who can be vulnerable to the effects of radiations such as pregnant women or babies.
- Better & Accurate Soft Tissue Pathological Diagnosis: MRI scans are best for soft tissue pathological diagnosis as it provides a greater contrast in soft tissues of the body than CT scan. MRI is preferred for cancer diagnosis as it helps distinguish between normal tissues and diseased tissues.
- Helps Diagnose Cerebral Stroke Patients in less than 24 hours: The changes in brain tissue and damage to brain cells caused by stroke can be detected by MRI scans. MRI scans are used in addition to or instead of CT scans to diagnose stroke.
- Better Characterisation of Pelvic Mass Lesions: Using Multi-parametric MRIs for pelvic masses helps physicians identify a wide array of details like anatomic origin, morphological features and tissue composition of the mass.
- Higher Resolution & Better Characterisation of ligaments, tendons, menisci & cerebral pathologies: With MRI scans of ligaments it is easy to differentiate between a ligament tear and other causes behind the pain. The MRIs of tendons, menisci and cerebral are of high resolution.
- To assess nerve roots & spinal cord Pathologies: Spinal cord abnormalities are detected using MRI scans as they provide an accurate assessment of spinal cord anatomy. The scans show specific information to physicians and patients on spinal canal size i.e., if the spinal cords and nerves are comfortably accommodated or if the nerves are compressed or inflamed anywhere.
- Bone marrow pathologies can be assessed quickly than CT: Inflammation or infection in the bone marrow can be detected at the earliest by MRI scans. As MRI scans are capable of assessing inflammatory lesions or erosions faster than CT scans.