Information For The Patients

Monday, December 13, 2004

MRI for patients

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)


Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a way of obtaining images of organs using a magnetic field without using harmful ionizing radiation. It uses a magnnetic field so there are some contraindications peculiar to magnetic field like metallic implants, cardiac pacemakers, cochlear implants etc. There is no risk of because of radiaition and is a non-invasive safe procedure.
It is especially useful for evaluation of Brain and spinal cord. It has advantages of being able to take images in all three planes that is multiplanar imaging.It is also an alternative to CT in patients who are allergic to iodine as contrast material used in MRI is Gadolinium, which is a paramagnetic substance. It has very high soft tissue contrast so has revolutionized soft tissue and musculoskeletal imaging.
It takes a longer time to do a MRI and it is a tunnel like structure so patients with claustrophobia (fear of closed places) may have trouble getting a MRI done.

Also check out
www.radiologyinfo.org

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