Today, due to the development of innovative technologies, people can diagnose serious diseases using special methods. This is an MRI scan. Thanks to him, it is possible to identify any diseases in time, which will allow you to get the right treatment in the shortest possible time. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This diagnostic method is highly informative. It is built on the tactics of measuring electromagnetic fields, which allow you to examine any organs and tissues in the patient's body. Also, this device is able to scan each object in layers. The tomography results are displayed on a special computer, all of which are served in 3D format.
This diagnostic method is not associated with radioactive radiation, therefore it is considered safe for patients. There are several types of MRI. Basically, they are divided by areas of study, by the type of tomograph used, and also by the presence of contrast. Below we will consider in maximum detail what types of MRI exist.
Classification of the studied part of the body
It should be noted that MRI is divided into types depending on the scan area. There are similar large groups: uniting the head and neck, chest, spine, bones, blood vessels, abdominal cavity and other types. Let us consider in more detail what types of MRI are.
Head and neck MRI
This type of tomography includes several subgroups:
- Thyroid. Problems with the described organ can be easily determined using ultrasound, radiological and laboratory diagnostic methods. However, if the case is rather difficult and complex, as well as its clinical picture is not fully understood, then magnetic resonance imaging can be used.
- Skull. Thanks to this type of MRI, the human brain can be fully viewed and understood, what kind of illness the patient is concerned about. Also, this type of tomography involves obtaining an image of the cervical spine. Most often, such a study is prescribed if the person has a constant headache, and its causes have not been identified.
- The study of the pituitary gland. Thanks to this type of tomography, it is possible to understand whether the internal structures of the human head are disturbed, and whether there are still tumors.
- Brain. The type of MRI of the described type allows you to view in layers of the hemisphere, as well as the trunk. Thanks to this diagnosis, it is possible to detect the presence of edema, hemorrhage, inflammation, infection, and neoplasm. Through tomography, you will be able to find out about the presence of anomalies.
It should be noted that MRI of the head and neck allows you to identify problems with the nerves of the visual and auditory type. In ENT practice, this type of study is used to make complex diagnoses.
Chest MRI
Next, we consider what types of MRI of the described area exist. Thanks to this type of tomography, it is possible to detect the presence of problems in the chest, as well as in the mediastinum. If desired, it is possible to conduct a narrow study.
- Heart. An examination of this type will help to understand the state of all the structures of the described organ, as well as its surrounding tissues.
- Breast. This type of study is prescribed, as a rule, for diseases that cannot be diagnosed with ultrasound and mammography.
- Pulmonary bronchial region. Thanks to this type of MRI scan, you can get information about the walls of the bronchial thickenings, as well as the bronchi themselves. However, it will not be possible to identify the state of small vessels.
Thus, tomography of this area allows you to understand whether the heart, its valves and veins are working properly. Often, MRI is prescribed if there are suspicions of any abnormality associated with the lungs, heart, and mammary glands.
MRI of the spine
By conducting an MRI of the spine, one can understand its condition, as well as all the tissues that are adjacent to it. Such an examination allows you to confirm the presence of infectious diseases, tumors. Such types of MRI of the spine are shared:
- Thoracic department. Thanks to such a study, one can get an idea about the presence of oncological processes, as well as pathologies that affect either the brain or the spinal cord. Thanks to MRI, it will be possible to identify injuries and pinching.
- Lumbosacral. In the images as a result of this type of tomography, you can examine the soft tissues, as well as the spinal cord, ligaments, and so on.
- Cervical. Such a study can identify defects, determine the presence of infectious diseases, injuries, sclerosis, and so on.
It should be noted that only multislice computed tomography can make a worthy competition for this type of MRI.
Bones and joints
Thanks to such a tomography, it is possible to identify ruptures of tendons, ligaments, as well as infectious and oncological processes. There is an opportunity to explore the elbow joint, knee, hip, and some others. As a rule, this type of MRI is prescribed if the X-ray image does not allow to diagnose the disease and the causes of any symptoms. This method is used in orthopedics, surgery, and also traumatology.
MRI of vessels
Thanks to MRI, it is possible to examine coronary vessels, as well as those located in the spine, cervical region and in the brain. For some of these types, special tomographs are used. They have a special meaning of magnetic field voltage.
Pelvic MRI
Thanks to this diagnostic method, you can identify problems with the liver, stomach, kidneys, lymph nodes, intestines and so on. This type of examination can be prescribed by a gynecologist, urologist, surgeon and some other doctors. As a rule, women are prescribed such a diagnostic method in the presence of any vaginal bleeding, and men - in the diagnosis of prostatitis, as well as neoplasms in the scrotum.
By contrast
Next, we consider what types of MRI are by type of contrast. They resort to it if it is necessary to study the vessels in detail or if there is a suspicion of the development of cancer pathologies. Thanks to the introduction of contrast, you can consider all vascular structures, as well as detect blood clots that stagnate. To conduct a similar diagnostic method, contrasts based on gadolinium are used. This element is able to amplify the magnetic signal that the tomograph delivers. That is why the quality of the images will be maximized.
You can divide the substances for contrasting into several types.
- A drip is used. Thus, the supply of pigment and tomography are synchronized with each other.
- Dyes that are introduced into the vessels. As a rule, either manganese compounds or iron with oxygen are used.
- Oral agents that maximize the scanning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
Also, in addition to similar chemical compounds, if there are indicators for that, strong tea is used, in which potassium is added. It should be noted that the cost of this type of MRI will be much more expensive.
Types of tomograph
In modern clinics, two types of tomographs are used. This is an open and closed device. The first is necessary if there is a need for examination of patients with large weight, height, and also small children. Closed has a tunnel design. The patient should lie on the couch and with it the tomograph will move inward. However, in the process of examination, many patients may experience an attack of claustrophobia, therefore, an open device is also installed in the clinics.
All described types of MRI are an excellent method for the diagnosis of various pathologies. Tomography is used in orthopedic practice, oncology, gynecology and so on. What type of diagnosis should be prescribed to the patient will be decided only by a specialist, of course, coordinating all issues with the patient.