MRI full form is Magnetic Resonance Imaging. MRI is a medical examination that produces an image of the body structure to investigate the anatomy and physiology of the body. MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging is also known as NMRI (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or MRT (magnetic resonance tomography).
Importance Of MRI
An MRI scan represents the difference between healthy and diseased tissue precisely compared to any other diagnosis ever made and can provide important information about the brain, spine, joints, and internal organs. It helps in the detection and treatment of disease at its early stage.
MRI Scanner
To scan the human body, the MRI technique employs large magnetic fields, radio waves, and a computer. The MRI scanner is a tube-like structure with a large circular magnet in the centre. The patient is placed on a moving bed that is drawn into the magnet. The magnet’s magnetic field interacts with the randomly moving protons of hydrogen atoms in tissues, aligning them with this field.
A radio wave pulse of the appropriate frequency is applied to excite the protons, causing them to release the absorbed energy as the radio frequency signal detected by the scanner’s receiver coil. This spins the various protons in the body, producing a faint signal that the MRI scanner can detect.
A computer processes the receiver information, producing two-dimensional images or three-dimensional volumes of a part of your body.
The report of the diagnosis is analyzed by a radiologist.
The scan can take 15–90 minutes, depending on the frequency of the magnetic field, the size of the body area scanned, and the number of images to be taken.
An MRI scan is a radiology technique that has no known side effects. However, a claustrophobia (extreme or irrational fear of a confined place) sensation can occur to some patients during MRI scanning.
The cost for the scan varies from Rs 1,500 to Rs 40, depending on the locations of the test centres and the area of the scanned body parts.
It is recommended that a person not put on any metallic accessories during the scanning due to exposure to the magnetic field. Also, patients with surgical metallic implants like artificial heart valves, metallic ear implants, bullet fragments, and chemotherapy or insulin pumps are not recommended for MRI scans.
There is a wide range of applications of MRI in medical diagnosis such as:
- Brain Tumors.
- Trauma to the brain.
- Brain aneurysms
- Spine problems.
- Heart problems and strokes.
- Joints and bones.
- Abnormalities of brain and spinal cord.
- Liver and other abdominal diseases.
- Uterine abnormalities in women.
Difference between MRI and CT scan
CT scan refers to Computed Tomography Scan.
The difference between MRI and CT scans are listed below:
- An MRI scan provides high-quality images of internal body parts, whereas a CT scan produces images inside the body.
- An MRI scan produces radiation that is not harmful to the patient, while radiation produced by a CT scan may have this risk.
- The cost of an MRI scan is higher than for a CT scan.
Conclusion
MRI full form is Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It refers to a non-invasive imaging technique that generates three-dimensional, detailed anatomical images. A patient is placed inside a large magnet to obtain an MRI image and must remain very still during the imaging process to avoid blurring the image. Unless otherwise instructed, eat normally and continue to take your regular medications prior to an MRI exam. If you were not sedated, you can resume your normal activities immediately following the scan.
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