Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the most advanced techniques available to image the human body. It uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves which are processed through a powerful computer to produce images of the internal structures of the body.
The body is made up of primarily water and fat. Both these tissues have many hydrogen atoms, when these are placed in the magnetic field of the MRI scanner they all line up and spin and emit radio waves which are picked up by special receivers (Coils). The radio waves are passed onto the computer, analysed and converted into images of the internal structure of the body. When there is injury or disease the amount of water and fat in the tissues changes and is represented on the images allowing a diagnosis to be made.
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. MRI uses the principle of magnetic resonance. The hydrogen protons inside our body are magnetizable when placed in a large magnet, like the one in the MRI machine. When the body part goes into the machine, these hydrogen protons get magnetized. An MRI scanner uses magnetic field and radio waves to build up detailed pictures of various parts of the body from the signals that are sent out from the water molecules in the body. Computer systems help with this but no x-rays are used.
MRI scans are investigations that can be used to help doctors to make a diagnosis or assess the effects of treatment. Your doctor will recommend an MRI scan based on the type of disease you have and the reason for the scan.
Your doctor will decide if an MRI scan would be helpful in your case. However, some people are not able to have the scan, for example if
Please contact the MRI department if you think you may be pregnant. MRI scans may not be advisable in early pregnancy, unless there are special circumstances.
The technologist who carry out the scan, will ask you some questions. You will also be required to fill in a questionnaire about your health and medical history, and you may be asked to sign a consent form.
MRI allows us to exquisitely see different parts of the body. In the brain, it allows us to differentiate between different areas. In the spine, it MRI is the only modality that allows us to see the spinal cord. In joints, MRI allows us to look at the internal parts of the joints including ligaments, tendons and menisci. It also allows evaluation of various cardiac structures, as well as functional imaging of various parts of the brain.
MRI does all this by sectioning the body in different planes. Just as it is necessary to slice a loaf of bread to know the quality of slices, so also MRI allows us to section the body to look at its insides. Thus, the skull X-ray only shows us the outside, whereas MRI shows us the brain inside.
All parts of the body can be scanned with MRI, but it s most useful in the brain, spine, bones, joints and the heart. It also has specific uses in other parts like the chest, abdomen and pelvis. For each part, there are specific indications or reasons for scanning. The referring doctor and the consultant radiologist are the best judges of the usefulness of MRI scanning in a specific situation and area.
The scanner being state-of-the-art, the following newer modalities are available
Not ordinarily. However if you have any magnetizable items on or in your body, such as aneurysm clips, pacemakers, cardiac prostheses, metallic implants, etc. please inform us immediately, as there could be a problem related to these metallic items. MRI HAS NO RADIATION AND USUALLY DOES NOT REQUIRE FASTING
If necessary, you may be injected with a gadolinium-based dye to see things better.
The machine has a very short “bore”, which significantly reduces claustrophobia. For examinations of the thighs, knees, legs etc. the head is always outside the machine. We have an excellent music system with headphones that serve to both reduce the noise levels in the machine as well as provide soothing music. If you want to listen to any particular music, please bring your CD along.
Please get all X-rays, sonography, CT and MR films along with other papers, operative notes, discharge cards, etc. relevant to the case.
The scans need to be carefully analysed and interpreted by our experienced Radiologists (scan doctors) team which may take upto few hours. The report and the scans will be given to you at the reception after printing the films and reports, signed by our Radiologists.