What Every Doctor Should Know About an MRI Scan

MRI is an acronym for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a medical imaging technique that lets your doctor see organs and tissues inside your body without surgery. MRI gives more information about your ailment and shows the doctor whether a treatment was helpful. The procedure also helps diagnose an injury or disease. Whatever reason makes a patient need an MRI scan, here is what every doctor should know about MRI Scan

Why it is Done

Every doctor does not conduct MRI Scan. However, they all need to know why the procedure is done. MRI Scan represents the medical world’s huge milestone. It helps doctors and scientists examine the inside of a human body in detail without conducting surgery. The procedure can identify the following conditions in your body.

• Cysts and tumors in different parts of the body
• screening breast cancer in women
• joint abnormalities and injuries
• liver diseases
• Spinal cord and brain abnormalities
• assumed uterine anomalies in women going through infertility evaluation

Risks Involved

MRI uses powerful magnets to identify conditions in your body. The effects of metal in your body can be hazardous. If your body has any metal, it might attract magnets or interfere with MH Imaging. Before an MRI Scan, your doctor will ask you questions on whether your body has electronic devices or metals. The doctor will also inform you whether the metal in your body is MRI safe. Some of these devices include artificial heart valves, metal clips, intrauterine devices, and surgical staples.

In case you have permanent tattoos, they may contain metals. Consult your doctor on their effect on your scan. Also, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The magnet in the MRI Scan may affect the fetus. Your doctor may postpone the scan if you are going to have contrast material during the scan or suggest an alternative exam.

The Procedure

During the procedure, your doctor will ask you to undress, wear a cotton gown, remove your jewelry and any other metal object. The doctor will ask you to lie on a scanner table that slides into the MRI cylinder. During this time, lie still as movements will alter the images. The scanner makes a loud noise like clicks and bangs during the procedure. Your doctor will offer you earplugs to block the noise. The scan takes about sixty minutes, depending on the nature of the examination.

MRI Scan is a non-invasive procedure that uses radio waves and a magnetic field to take pictures of organs and tissues inside your body. Every doctor should know it is a complicating tool that is expensive to manage and use and only found in specified centers.