All That You Need to Know About an MRI Scan : A magnetic resonance imaging scan is an invention in the diagnostic and imaging department which uses sound waves and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues.
An MRI scan can help your doctor to determine and diagnose certain conditions and diseases such as tumours and brain injuries or heart problems etc.
MRI is a painless and non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique..
What is MRI Used For?
Since the advancement of MRI scan, doctors and scientists have been exploring and expanding its uses. The detailed images that the scan provides aids in various ways to the doctor some of the uses are mentioned below:
- To find abnormalities in the brain and spinal cord
- Tumours, cysts, or other malignancies can be well appreciated by the scan.
- To diagnose Diseases of liver or other organs
- To visualise abnormality in joints, bones such as the back and knee
- It can help diagnose certain heart problems
- Women having high risk of breast cancer can be screened and diagnosed using the MRI scan
- It’s helpful in evaluation of the pelvic pain which might be present in fibroids and endometriosis
- Uterine anomalies leading to infertility in women can also be diagnosed using the scan
What Do I Need to Inform My Doctor Before the MRI Scan?
There are certain things to tell your doctor prior to the exam.
- If you’re pregnant, although there are no known side effects or complications to pregnancy due to an MRI scan, still it is avoided if it can be during pregnancy.
- If you have certain metal devices implanted for example:
- Metal rods present after a severe fracture such as in legs or arm
- Cardiac pacemaker
- Vagal nerve stimulator
- Insulin pumps
- Cochlear or other facial implants
- Defibrillators
- Loop recorders
- Deep brain stimulators etc.
- If you have certain diseases like kidney failure or diabetes to plan if you need to stop taking your medication before or after the scan.
- If you have had contrast based scan and developed allergic reaction
What Will Happen During MRI Scan?
- You will be asked to sign a consent
- You will be given a hospital gown to change your clothes
- You will be asked to lie on the scanning table
- The scanning table slides into the donut shaped scanner
- MRI scan is operated by the trained personnel present in another room
- The scanning room and operating chamber are connected via intercom facility through which you can talk if you feel discomfort.
- You need to lie still during the scan else the scan images might get blurred.
- You might be asked to hold your breath for a while depending on the purpose of scanning.
- Once the scan is done the scan table slides out of the scanner
After the scan, the scan resorts are generated and sent to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan with you.
Risks Associated to MRI Scan
Although it is a painless technique, there are certain considerations you need to keep in mind which are mentioned below-
- Radiation– An MRI Scan does not use any radiation, hence it does not pose any radiation related risk as such.
- Contrast– Certain MRI scan exams might include contrast dye injection which may cause an allergic reaction. Only for a severe allergic reaction you need to be monitored and delivered proper care, otherwise the mild reactions are managed by medication. The allergic reactions usually start by redness, swelling, itching and pain. You should inform your care provider as soon as you develop the first sign of allergy. Allergic reaction include
- Itching
- Pain
- Redness
- Burning sensation
- Difficulty in breathing
- life threatening reaction might happen known as anaphylaxis
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness
- Pregnancy– If you are pregnant you should tell your doctor since MRI scan is not done while you are pregnant even though there are no evidence of an MRI scan causing harm to the unborn child
- Diseases– if you have diabetes or kidney disease already, it might get worse causing nephrogenic sclerosing fibrosis which is a rare disease. Your doctor usually checks your status before the MRI scan. There can be certain precautions you might need to take if you have certain diseases.
- If you have any metal device which contains iron– (pacemakers, nerve stimulator device, defibrillators, insulin pumps, cochlear implants, brain stimulator devices etc.) if you have such metal devices implanted inside your body you should inform your doctor to accordingly plan the diagnostic imaging method.
Conclusion
MRI scan is an advanced diagnostic technique that can help determine and diagnose some health conditions that may remain silent during their course. Once your doctor recommends an MRI scan, you should start the search for the best MRI scan centre near you, which offers convenience in commute and reliability in reports to increase the prognosis and hence improve the quality of life.
All That You Need to Know About an MRI Scan
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