MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is one of the most accurate diagnostic procedures to date. Most of all, the accuracy of the data obtained is important for MRI of the head and neck, since it is here that the most valuable vessels and arteries of the body, as well as the brain, pass. Brain research often brings with it many difficulties, as it is one of the most unexplored organs of the human body.
Timely done MRI of the vessels of the head and neck can prevent the development of serious pathologies. Diagnosis with MRI has undeniable advantages over similar studies. On x-rays, you will not see what processes occur in soft tissues, since it can only detect bone pathologies, and ultrasound is not so sensitive compared to MRI.
What it is?
When conducting MRI diagnostics, the electromagnetic field has a strong effect on the tissues of the human body. In the study, the cells come into resonance with the electromagnetic field. Affected cells and tissues resonate completely differently. These differences are recorded by MRI. In the final picture, the differences are clearly visible. The peculiarity of this technique is that as a result, a picture is obtained in three planes. MRI of the head and neck helps the doctor to study pathological changes from all sides and make the most accurate diagnosis.
Typically, this type of MRI is done for people who have previously had a head and neck injury. For normal rehabilitation should be checked in a timely manner and do research. Also, MRI is done to anyone who wants to know the condition of blood vessels and soft tissues.
Contraindications for the study
MRI of the head and neck is performed for various reasons. The procedure is relatively safe and practically does not carry side effects. It is not based on radioactive substances. It is carried out at any age. It is not recommended to prescribe this procedure in only a few cases:
- If the patient has a pacemaker.
- If the patient has metal prostheses or implants with electronic "filling".
- If there is a special clip in the vessels of the patient’s brain that stops the flow of excess blood.
The procedure can also be canceled at the insistence of the doctor. They also take into account how great the risk is if the procedure is not carried out.
MRI of the head arteries
What does an MRI show? Most often, it is prescribed in the presence of diseases associated with neurological abnormalities. MRI is used for the following disorders, diseases and complaints:
- If the patient complains of a frequent headache.
- The patient experiences dizziness and fainting.
- Complaints of galloping pressure. Sudden changes can occur.
- There was blood from the nose, possibly pus.
- Swelling appeared in the temples.
- Identified symptoms of blood clots (regular pain in the head, nausea, dizziness, ringing in the ears, black spots in front of the eyes, etc.).
- The patient complains of hearing loss and speech impairment.
- There is a suspicion of a brain tumor.
- Additional diseases, for example, epileptic seizures, multiple sclerosis, sinusitis (mainly of a chronic course), neurodegenerative abnormalities, etc.
Cervical MRI
In the case of the cervical spine, the doctor gives a referral to this study if accurate diagnosis using other methods is not possible. Typically, an MRI scan is performed with the following symptoms:
- If damage to the vascular system is present during injury, but it is difficult or impossible to determine the degree of danger without investigation.
- There are no subsiding pains in the cervical region, which may indicate the onset of tumor development.
- The patient revealed a violation of the heart rhythm.
- There is a hernia in the neck.
- Stenosis of the vascular system.
- Patient complains of memory impairment.
- Troubled sleep.
- Diagnosed with a disease of the larynx and lymph nodes.
- Damaged or narrowed spinal canal through which cerebrospinal fluid flows.
- Diagnosed with osteochondrosis in the cervical region of the spinal column.
- Failures in the thyroid gland.
MRI preparation
As a rule, specialized MRI is not required for head and neck MRI. The patient must notify the doctor of the presence of chronic diseases, allergies, pregnancy and, if present, fears of confined spaces. It is also necessary to get rid of all metal things present on the body: jewelry, piercings, metal belts, etc. During the procedure, the patient is required to observe immobility.
How does the MRI procedure
Typically, the patient wants to know how to do an MRI of the head and neck. The procedure can be performed both with and without contrast. Contrast is needed only for a more visual diagnosis. It is usually used in difficult situations. For this, some coloring components of preparations specially provided for such cases are introduced into the body. Some people may be allergic to dyes, so before undergoing an MRI contrast procedure, you must pass an analysis for an allergic reaction. There are no such contraindications for the standard procedure.
An MRI device is a tunnel where a patient is placed. His limbs are firmly fixed, and a soft roller is placed under his head, so that during the MRI of the head and neck the patient is comfortable. Wires are attached to the neck. They receive information on the monitor in the next room. The procedure is carried out in half an hour. Basically, its duration depends on the use of a contrast agent.
What is visible on the MRI image?
After the procedure, it will be interesting to know what the MRI shows. In the picture you can see all the vessels that are present in the cervical region. The patient can see the carotid artery, vertebral arteries and jugular veins, as well as all branches extending from them.
Decoding MRI of the head and neck does not take a very long time. After a few minutes, the patient will know his diagnosis. On MRI you can see:
- Are there any changes in the arteries and veins of the cervical region.
- Are plaques present in arteries (atherosclerosis).
- Is there a blockage of blood vessels.
- The formation of blood clots is visible.
- Traumatic injuries to the neck.
- Inflammatory processes and lesions.
- The presence of tumors in the vessels, as well as whether their narrowing and squeezing occurs because of this.
Even without MRI, the presence of pathology can be assumed by the accompanying symptoms. Due to changes in arteries and blood vessels, the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain changes. This, of course, affects the well-being of a person, which can manifest itself in the form of headaches, regular migraines, loss of vision and hearing, as well as various nervous disorders.
Decoding of the obtained results and the cost of MRI
Those who are going to have an MRI of the vessels of the head and neck are interested in the price first. It mainly depends on the quality of the service, equipment and prestige of the clinic.
After completing an MRI, the patient receives a pair of A4 images. The number of images on one sheet can reach up to 4 pieces. It all depends on how difficult the study was. Also, the results of the scan are copied to other media and sources of dissemination of information. It can be CD-, DVD-disks on which the result will be stored in DICOM format.
The patient himself is unlikely to be able to independently decrypt the results. Knowing the school course of anatomy will not help here. For the correct diagnosis, it is better to contact a qualified specialist.
The cost of an MRI scan of the vessels of the head and neck may vary. On average, one procedure with the diagnosis of one section of the neck or brain costs from 5000 rubles. If you are going to undergo a full examination of the brain, be prepared to pay at least 100 thousand rubles.