Magnetic resonance imaging, abbreviated as MRI, is one of the most advanced medical imaging tests. It relies on powerful magnets and radio waves for taking images of the insides of the human body. Although both CT scan and MRI allow doctors to see internal organs, an MRI is different from a CT (computed tomography) scan. That’s because in a CT scan, x-ray is combined with computer technology. Additionally, MRIs can provide more details and is the best technology for heart condition assessmentas well as diagnosing problems like inflammation, spinal issues, and torn ligaments. Other than heart and spinal cord, what is an MRI scan  used to diagnose? In this blog, we will tell you all about MRI’s use in medical science.

How Do MRIs Work?

During the procedure, you will be requested to lie calmly on a table. The part of the body where you face the issue will be placed under the scanner. The MRI machine is a tube-shaped magnet and the images captured will be reflected on the computer screen. It is more time-taking than CT scan and is also more expensive.

Note: In most cases, MRIs are done without the application of contrast dye. However, if your doctor deems necessary, contrast dye might be injected into your vein in the hand or arm. This dye permits healthcare professionals to see internal structures more clearly and spot subtle changes that prove whether a tissue is cancerous or healthy.

This dye that they use is termed gadolinium and it may leave a distinct metallic taste in the mouth of the patient. If you are pregnant or you have developed a kidney disease, you must not get the contrast material as it can lead to possible complications.

What Is an MRI Scan Used to Diagnose?

An MRI scanner is an excellent machine that facilitates accurate diagnosis of a range of conditions. From multiple sclerosis monitoring to internal bleeding identification – scroll down to have a look at all the functions the MRI machine can perform.

Brain MRI

Doctors perform an MRI of the spinal cord or brain to find the following things:

  • Spinal cord injuries 
  • Conditions affecting the blood vessels (example: aneurysm, which is a weakened or bulging blood vessel in a patient’s brain) 
  • Brain injury
  • Brain cancer
  • Stroke
  • MS (Multiple sclerosis)
  • Inner ear issues
  • Eye problems
  • Brain tumor detection

Joint and Bone MRI

If an MRI of the joints or bones is done, it can do:

  • Joint damage analysis 
  • Arthritis severity evaluation
  • Bone cancers and tumors detections
  • Tracking bone infections 
  • Diagnosis of lower back or neck pain with nerve signs 
  • Identification of disk problems in the person’s spine

Heart MRI 

Doctors recommend an MRI of the blood vessels and heart to look for:

  • Aorta-related problems
  • Heart disease
  • Blockage in the blood vessels
  • Damage resulting from a heart attack
  • Swelling of the tissue surrounding the heart (a condition termed pericarditis) 
  • Structural problems of the heart

Breast MRI 

A breast MRI can be uses for the following:

  • Reveal the size of a breast tumor and to what extent it has spread in the body of the woman suffering from breast cancer
  • Breast cancer screening
  • Check if breast implants are fine or they have ruptured
  • Find out if the cancer has returned despite being treated surgically or via chemotherapy

Kidney MRI 

Sometimes, it is necessary to perform a kidney MRI for diagnosing:

  • Kidney cancer
  • Renal vein thrombosis
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Kidney stones or tumors

Pancreas MRI 

The pancreas is situated behind your stomach. It performs two vital functions: regulates blood sugar and aids digestion. An MRI of your pancreas will help detect:

  • Pancreatitis
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • If the lesions and cysts in the area are benign or cancerous

Liver MRI 

One of the MRI uses in medicine is that it can detect these liver conditions:

  • Cirrhosis
  • Hepatitis
  • Liver cancer 
  • Other liver problems

Prostate and Ovary MRI

Prostate MRI is used for seeing if there is cancerous growth in the prostate. It can also show if the cancer is spreading and can evaluate issues such as an enlarged prostate.

Like prostate MRI, an ovary MRI is primarily done to observe if a mass in the ovaries is non-cancerous or cancerous.

fMRI Uses in Medicine

fMRI or functional MRI is a special type of MRI that monitors brain activity. During the test, the blood flow in the brain is studied to understand which areas of the brain become active when the individual does specific tasks. From stroke identificationto knowing the side effects of brain injury or Alzheimer’s – fMRI can be useful in several ways. Healthcare providers also use it for brain mapping when brain surgery is needed for tumors or epilepsy. With the help of the MRI scan report, the doctor may plan the treatment.

MRI Risks

  1. Older models of pacemakers used to get damaged during MRIs.
  2. Some people experience an allergic reaction after using contrast dye.
  3. A pregnant lady should avoid an MRI in the first trimester as it may affect the developing organs of the baby.

To Sum Up 

So, if you doctor has asked you to get an MRI scan done for liver disease diagnoses or some other reason, you should not delay the procedure.

Just make sure you contact an accomplished radiologist who is adept at doing it. There are some rules that you should follow when you are inside the MRI machine. For instance, you should remove all metal objects and tell your doctor if you have underlying health conditions.

Q. What conditions can an MRI scan help to diagnose? 

An MRI can assist doctors in diagnosis many critical conditions like the development of tumors, lesions and cysts in various body parts, kidney cancer, disk problems, bone infections, heart blockage, and so on. 

Q. How does an MRI scan work in detecting brain tumors?

During a brain MRI, strong magnets are used to create detailed pictures of the brain. As it shows the most vivid pictures than other kinds of imaging tests, brain tumors can easily be detected.