Brain MRI is a method based on measuring the electromagnetic fields of atomic nuclei. Most often, the response of hydrogen atomic nuclei is measured, in the human body they are in sufficient quantity in the form of water (₂O).
Benefits of MRI
Equipment used for MRI of cerebral vessels does not harm the body. The procedure is carried out without interference in the internal environment of the body. The principle of operation of the technique is based on a magnetic field that is harmless to humans, while a CT scan or X-ray study uses ionizing radiation.
MRI is performed repeatedly and the intervals between studies can be short. The method makes it possible to conduct a detailed analysis of body structures, to take pictures in the form of a three-dimensional model and several projections. Today, magnetic resonance imaging can replace endoscopic examinations.
Informational content
MRI of the head and blood vessels of the brain allows the specialist to determine the presence of a disease in the initial stage, progression, or to exclude pathology from the list of suspicions.
The study demonstrates:
- The anatomical location of the vessels, the physiological characteristics of their condition, as well as the functionality of all highways.
- Processes occurring in the brain tissue (physico-chemical, biological).
- Visualizes the image of the vessels of the brain in any area, for a detailed study.
- Changes in the structures of the brain, blood vessels and the exact location of the lesions, their size (aneurysms, hematomas, blood clots, etc.).
MRI of cerebral vessels is carried out both with the use of contrast agents and without them. Modern equipment is able to clearly convey the image of the entire length of the vessel without the use of additional tools or contrast. Magnetic resonance imaging is part of a set of diagnostic procedures to obtain a complete picture of the disease, clarifies the causes of pathology, but is not the basis of the diagnosis. The study may be prescribed by a physician, neurologist or vascular surgeon.
What will reveal?
MRI of the cerebral vessels is performed in angiography mode, only this method allows you to examine blood vessels in detail, identify pathologies, the onset of diseases, build a strategy for surgical intervention, etc. Angiography provides a detailed visualization of arteries, fine capillary networks, and the lymphatic system in any part of the brain. The doctor can study the lumen of the vessels, the thickness and condition of the walls, neoplasms, plaques, and other changes.
In 3D mode, a specialist evaluates blood flow, detects blockages and much more, which is available on modern equipment for MRI of cerebral vessels.
What shows and what diseases helps to identify:
- Blood clots, aneurysms, any neoplasms (location, effect on blood flow, size, etc.).
- The presence of atherosclerosis and its stage.
- Clearance of blood vessels, stratification of the walls.
- Signs of a pre-stroke condition, stroke, its consequences, the presence of multiple sclerosis.
- Arteriovenous malformation.
- Traumatic injuries, concussions, bruises, etc.
MRI of cerebral vessels with contrast is performed in a mode combining CT and magnetic resonance angiography to study tumors of various etiologies.
Indications for the study
Magnetic resonance imaging is a safe way to conduct high-quality and informative studies. Indications for MRI of the brain and blood vessels lie in the plane of neurological pathologies or disorders.
The specialist prescribes MRI for such diseases, conditions or suspicions:
- It is recommended to regularly visit patients with diagnosed cerebrovascular diseases to monitor the effectiveness of treatment, assess the progress of pathology, or to confirm the success of conservative measures taken.
- Mandatory after a head injury, concussion, head or neck bruises.
- With suspected neoplasms in the brain.
- Loss of hearing and vision, progressive hearing loss and a drop in visual acuity, speech impairment.
- For headaches of unknown origin and prolonged course.
- The basic diagnostic procedure for determining the presence of a tumor of the cerebellopontine node.
- To determine the degree of complications of central nervous system infections in the brain, vessels of the neck after past or ongoing diseases (meningitis, HIV, syphilis, abscess, etc.).
- In case of abnormalities in the development of the circulatory system and the location of blood flow arteries, the only research method is brain MRI.
- The direct indications for the study are epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic sinusitis, pathologies of the base of the skull, pituitary gland, sellar region of the brain, and neurodegenerative pathologies.
MRI of cerebral vessels is carried out by certified specialists with medical qualifications. Despite the complete safety of the method, there are a number of limitations under which it is necessary to abandon this type of diagnosis.
Contraindications
Subject to all safety measures, the procedure is absolutely painless. To clarify the picture of the condition, specialists often use MRI of cerebral vessels, which shows the information effectiveness of the method in the hands of a qualified doctor. When prescribing the diagnosis, two types of contraindications are taken into account - relative and absolute.
It is not recommended, but there are no obstacles for diagnosis in the following cases:
- Established prosthetic heart valves or insulin pump.
- Reception of nerve stimulants.
- It is not prescribed if the patient suffers from claustrophobia, mental illness.
- Not recommended for patients with non-ferromagnetic implants of the inner ear.
- Not recommended for patients with heart failure.
Relative contraindications do not exclude the possibility of an MRI of the brain vessels. Having assessed the risks, the doctor can prescribe a study if there is complete confidence that nothing threatens the patient’s health.
Absolute contraindications include:
- Installed pacemaker.
- The presence of metal, electronic implants, without the ability to remove them for the study period (including a hemostatic clip).
- The first trimester of pregnancy.
The patient must remember that any metal jewelry (piercing, watches, earrings, etc.) should be removed without fail. People who have tattoos on their bodies should also be wary of this type of diagnosis, some pigments used to paint on the body may contain metal pigments.
Preparation
MRI of cerebral vessels is carried out in an apparatus with a powerful magnetic field capable of attracting not only small, but also large metal objects. Entering the field of action of the magnet, they move toward the source of attraction with great speed, which can harm equipment, the patient, and medical personnel.
How to prepare for an MRI of the brain vessels:
- Remove all jewelry, piercings.
- Remove from the field of action any objects with metals (watches, payment cards, buttons, hairpins, etc.).
- Remove hearing aids, glasses, dentures, etc.
To obtain accurate data, the study is carried out in loose clothing, often the rules of the clinic require mandatory dressing in hospital clothing. No requirements are made to the patient - there are no particularities in following any diet, fluid intake, removal of vegetation, etc. The only condition is the absence of absolute contraindications and the full awareness of the attending physician about injuries, operations, and pregnancy. If you are supposed to introduce contrast, you must first check the allergic reaction.
Carrying out
The study takes place in a separate, specially equipped room. How do MRI of cerebral vessels, the main stages:
- The patient, accompanied by a doctor, is placed on the transportation table.
- The specialist acquaints the researcher with the rules of behavior, the body is fixed with straps, and the head is placed on the roller.
- The specialist directs the platform with the patient into the hole of the magnet.
- The doctor controls the process and communicates with the patient from an adjacent room through a microphone mounted in the operating chamber of the device.
- The patient has the opportunity to notify the doctor of his discomfort during the scan, using the built-in button to call the operator.
- The duration of the study is at least half an hour, but may take 1.5 hours.
- At the end of the procedure, the doctor extends the table platform, removes the fixing straps, helps the patient to stand up.
Printing of pictures, drawing up a conclusion is carried out after the end of the session. The results are obtained according to the rules of the medical institution - immediately after the study (within 1 hour) or the next day. A package of documents is handed out or sent to the patient’s email.
In some cases, there are a number of features when conducting a study, namely:
- Patients with severe kidney pathologies should be tested before the study.
- MRI of cerebral vessels in children, patients with mental disorders, chronic pain, involuntary movement syndromes, the study is performed using sedation, the procedure is performed by an anesthesiologist.
- Claustrophobic patients are recommended to carry out diagnostics in an open circuit apparatus.
MRI for children
It is difficult for children, even in adolescence, to remain motionless for an hour or more, while small children are not at all able to persuade short-term inaction. Most often, children are prescribed sedatives or sparing anesthesia for the study. This is done in cases where all possible risks pose a much smaller threat than a disease that requires analysis.
There are certain rules for the implementation of diagnostics through MRI of cerebral vessels in small patients:
- The study is carried out in the morning.
- Before the procedure, do not feed or drink the baby.
- When conducting research under the influence of anesthesia, food is excluded 12 hours before the procedure.
- When conducting an MRI in the afternoon, the last meal is given to the child 6 hours before diagnosis using anesthesia.
- Infants receive food and drink 2 hours before the examination; at the age of one year, food is allowed 4 hours before the MRI.
- Make sure that the baby's bladder is empty before the start of the study.
- All items with metal (jewelry, toys with metal, braces, buttons, hairpins, belts, etc.) must be removed.
Anesthesia is used only with the consent of the parents. If doctors and parents thought that anesthesia cannot be dispensed with, then a preliminary consultation with the anesthetist is carried out to select the drug and dosage. Based on the indications, the specialist will suggest options for administering anesthesia:
- Parenteral - intravenous administration of a drug (calm, sound sleep).
- Inhalation - inhalation through an oxygen mask.
When conducting MRI with anesthesia in children or adults, the anesthesiologist monitors the patient's condition until the end of the session and takes the patient out of the state of drug sleep.
Patient impressions
Most patients who left a review of the study received an appointment from the attending physician for diagnosis (MRI of the brain vessels). Reviews with positive rhetoric talk about high information content, quick results, painless procedures. People who were assigned to magnetic resonance imaging previously underwent several other diagnostic measures to clarify their condition, but the full amount of information was obtained only after MRI.
Patients recommend being patient. The most difficult part of the procedure is to lie still for a long time, at least 30 minutes, and try not to react to strong noise inside the device; vacuum headphones are provided to neutralize it. It is not possible to completely cut off the sound, but they can significantly muffle it. Some patients additionally use ear plugs.
If the doctor has prescribed a simultaneous study of veins, vessels of the neck and brain, then it is forbidden to swallow, that not everyone can withstand. Difficulties also haunt people with claustrophobia. For this category of visitors, it is very difficult to decide and endure the entire session without emotions, but many cope by choosing a diagnosis and not indulging their fears.
In the negative reviews noted the high cost of the procedure, a lot of noise in the process. Some patients managed to undergo the study for free - according to the compulsory medical insurance policy, but it took a lot of additional documents and analyzes to be collected, to communicate with the commission. Having passed bureaucratic obstacles, patients gained access to the study, in most cases the condition of these people was not critical, there was a margin of time for a leisurely diagnosis. The rest had to go to private offices and clinics, but in the end, by most reviews, the MRI study was called the best diagnostic procedure.
Issue price
Choosing where to do an MRI of the cerebral vessels is worth listening to the recommendations of your doctor. He will be sent to the clinic where the level of specialists and equipment satisfy his requirements and inspire confidence. If the patient is not satisfied with the medical institution, then there are a lot of offers from other clinics, both private and municipal, where they will do a quality examination.
For example, in Moscow you can find more than 80 centers where they offer such services. How much does an MRI of brain vessels cost? In the capital, the price of the study starts at 2,000 rubles (prices for March 2018). When choosing a clinic, it is worthwhile to rely on the feedback of patients who have already undergone the procedure and have given a thorough review of the service, equipment, and the usefulness of the conclusion.