Magnetic resonance imaging is a modern, safe non-invasive method for examining organs and tissues. It allows you to get the most information about the studied area of the body. Medicine today offers the study of MRI of any organs, joints, bone tissue. The procedure is carried out using magnetic fields and radio frequency pulses. MRI data are used both for diagnosis and for monitoring the results of treatment.
In this article, you will get acquainted with the indications, contraindications, methods for performing magnetic resonance imaging. You will find out what the abdominal MRI shows. These are the liver, gall bladder, spleen, stomach, intestines, kidneys and bladder, as well as lymph nodes.
Types of abdominal MRI
Modern medicine classifies tomography methods by the method of obtaining information:
- survey magnetic resonance imaging;
- with the introduction of a contrasting substance into the test organ and without it;
- tomography of venous sinuses and lymph nodes;
- magnetic resonance angiography.
To date, the most commonly used survey method of research. He showed himself perfectly both for the diagnosis of joint diseases and for organs. The method with the introduction of a contrast agent into the organ under investigation is used relatively rarely today.
What shows abdominal MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging is one of the most capacious and informative studies in medical practice. What organs are tested for abdominal MRI? This procedure allows you to get an accurate idea of the condition of the following tissues and organs:
- liver and biliary tract;
- pancreas;
- veins and arteries of the abdominal cavity;
- stomach and spleen;
- intestines;
- lymph nodes;
- kidneys, adrenal glands and organs of the urinary system.
The indisputable plus of magnetic resonance imaging is that it allows you to evaluate the effect of one pathology on the state of neighboring organs.
What shows abdominal MRI? Scanning allows you to detect the presence and progression of the following pathological conditions:
- abnormal size or growth of an organ;
- deviations in the structure of organs and blood vessels of the abdominal cavity;
- inflammatory, cystic, obstructive manifestations in the tissues;
- neoplasms of various etiologies;
- aneurysms, thrombosis, ruptures, deformations - degenerative changes in blood vessels;
- pathology in the nerve trunks;
- stones, sand and flakes in the kidneys, bladder, in the biliary and urinary tract;
- metastases.
Now you know what shows an MRI of the abdomen and retroperitoneal space.
Indications for magnetic resonance imaging
Research is one of the most expensive in modern medicine. Therefore, for prophylaxis and because of the patient’s tendency to hypochondria, he is not carried out for free. Most often, MRI is performed in case of doubt in establishing a final diagnosis or in severe illness.
Often MRI is prescribed to assess the dynamics of the growth of tumors, cysts, fibrosis. Ultrasound in most cases does not allow to reliably assess the size of the neoplasm and its structure. But for magnetic resonance imaging there is no difficulty.
Here are some of the most common reasons for holding it:
- obtaining insufficiently reliable results after ultrasound, radiography, computed tomography;
- acute conditions of the liver and kidneys, requiring the most rapid diagnosis;
- enlargement of the liver for unclear reasons (with relatively normal hepatic indices);
- ischemic processes in organs or tissues;
- ascites or other causes of fluid accumulation around internal organs;
- violations of the outflow of bile of unknown origin;
- pancreatitis during a period of complication or acute form;
- kidney stones and urinary tract, in the gall bladder;
- cysts, neoplasms, hemangiomas, adenomas and other benign neoplasms;
- suspected complications after surgery;
- the impossibility of using other diagnostic methods.
Possible contraindications
Under the following conditions, MRI is strictly prohibited:
- an electronic or ferromagnet device in the patient’s body, it can be a pacemaker or defibrillator, a cochlear implant, a structure for holding bones;
- the patient has tattoos made with dyes mixed with certain metals;
- the first and the beginning of the second trimesters of pregnancy (the final decision on the advisability of the study is made by the attending physician);
- patients with the third stage of obesity (over 140 kg) can damage the equipment, so this study is not suitable for them.
Modern bite braces, a new generation of dental implants are not a contraindication.
Abdominal MRI using contrast is prohibited with the following symptoms:
- individual intolerance to any component of a contrasting composition;
- chronic renal failure and finding the patient on hemodialysis;
- liver failure (the final decision on the appropriateness of the study is made by the attending physician);
- period of pregnancy and lactation.
Indirect contraindications for abdominal MRI:
- claustrophobia;
- hyperactivity
- conditions in which the subject cannot maintain complete immobility.
Modern MRI devices are equipped with an open capsule with a glass top - this facilitates the study in patients with phobias of an enclosed space. But, alas, not all hospitals are equipped with such modern equipment.
Tomography preparation
The patient two days before the study must take care of the following rules:
- Exclude foods that promote increased gas formation from the diet.
- If we are talking about MRI of the pancreas or liver, you should adhere to a carbohydrate-free diet, which helps to unload these organs.
- Preparation for abdominal MRI implies a complete rejection of alcoholic beverages.
- With flatulence, it is necessary to drink laxatives or carminative drugs (the name and dosage are reported by the doctor).
- If the procedure is carried out with a contrast fluid, you need to make sure that the patient does not have an allergic reaction to the solution components.
- Women need to make sure there is no pregnancy before an abdominal MRI.
- On the day of the procedure you can not smoke, drink alcoholic and carbonated drinks. In some cases, any meal is prohibited (this is additionally reported by the attending physician).
How is the procedure carried out?
The patient changes into a spacious disposable medical gown. He is told about the procedure. If necessary, blood pressure is measured and the contrast composition is administered intravenously.
Then the patient lies down on a sliding table, earplugs are inserted into his ears (so that the sounds in the capsule do not disturb). Hands and feet are fixed with elastic straps. Then the table enters the capsule and the hole closes.
The doctor goes into the next room for research using a special computer. During the study, the patient should not move. The duration of an MRI is from twenty minutes to one and a half hours (depending on the area and damage to the organ under study). MRI of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space usually takes about an hour.
After completion, the patient should not experience any ailments. The doctor studies the materials received and can draw up a conclusion within a couple of hours after the study.
MRI of the liver and biliary tract
To date, the study of these organs is most often carried out with a contrasting composition.
MRI of the liver shows:
- the condition and size of the gallbladder and biliary tract;
- causes of jaundice and increased liver function;
- size and structure of hemangiomas, neoplasms, cysts;
- visualization of stones and polyps;
- strictures of the ducts of the biliary tract.
The average cost of examining the liver and biliary tract in paid diagnostic centers is from four to twenty thousand rubles (depending on the complexity of the case, the quality of the equipment and the qualifications of the doctor).
Pancreatic MRI
It will help to identify any diseases of the body - both in acute and in chronic form. In the presence of neoplasms, the procedure will show what stage the tumor develops and in what specific proportion of the gland it is.
The presence of insulinomas in the tail of the pancreas can also be seen with MRI. In chronic pancreatitis, you can track its stage and not miss the onset of pancreatic necrosis.
What organs of an abdominal MRI scan is the cheapest? This is just a study of the pancreas: in paid diagnostic centers, the study of this organ will cost from two to three thousand rubles.
MRI of the stomach and esophagus
The most common and popular study among patients. Helps to identify the degree of damage to the tissues of the stomach with any erosion, gastritis, ulcers. Reliably displays the size and position of cysts, adenomas and neoplasms. It will tell you about the condition of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, the presence of ulcers and erosion on it, the fact of bleeding of the gastric walls.
The cost of such a study will cost from three to fifteen thousand rubles, depending on the diagnostic center (prices are average in Moscow and the region).
MRI of the lymph nodes and spleen
A similar method is resorted to if the presence of the following diseases is suspected:
- violation of the structure and integrity of organ tissues;
- splenomegaly (enlarged spleen);
- pathological formations in the tissues of the organ;
- cysts, adenomas and neoplasms.
The cost of examining the spleen and lymph nodes of the abdominal region by MRI is from two to eight thousand rubles in paid diagnostic centers in Moscow and the region.
Intestinal MRI
Magnetic tomography can detect neoplasms in any part of the intestine, polyps and ulcers.
A proctologist before a study prescribes laxatives medications. The procedure can be carried out with or without contrast fluid injection.
Conducting a study without a solution is completely safe, with contrasting accurate visualization of neoplasms is possible - but irradiation will also be more serious.
Often, colonoscopy or endoscopy is prescribed in parallel with intestinal MRI . These studies are performed using a colonoscope. Part of the tissue is taken for further analysis.
Kidneys, adrenal glands and urinary organs
Urinary tract MRI is performed to clarify the diagnosis and study of diseases of unknown origin.
Most often, patients turn to this procedure for the following symptoms:
- the appearance of pulling, painful pain in the lumbar;
- violations of the outflow of urine - frequent diuresis or, on the contrary, delayed in nature;
- the presence in the urine of blood, mucus, flakes, sediment;
- painful urination;
- suspicion of stones, cysts, neoplasms in the tissues of the kidneys;
- pathology of the urinary system - size, organ integrity.
MRI of the kidneys and urinary tract will show the inflammatory process, the amount of tissue damage due to mechanical damage and injuries of various origins.
How safe is the procedure?
When performing an abdominal MRI, what complications can arise? Are there any long-term negative health effects? Similar questions concern many patients in the first place. The procedure has no cumulative effect and actually does not harm health. But small nuances still exist.
Here is a list of the possible effects of abdominal MRI:
- With a tendency to mental disorders and increased anxiety - attacks of claustrophobia. A person can begin to fight in a seizure right in the capsule, a panic attack occurs. after research, he may be chased by attacks of claustrophobia in an elevator, toilet, and shops.
- If the body has metal parts, under the influence of a tomograph, they will begin to attract, tearing soft tissues. Such points are discussed in advance with the attending physician, and in the presence of pacemakers or defibrillators, cochlear implants, and structures for holding bones, MRI will be canceled.
- The effect of the tomograph on the embryo is not fully understood. When conducting a study in the first trimester of pregnancy, violations in the development of the fetus can occur. Serious consultation with the treating doctor is necessary to confirm the need for the procedure during pregnancy.
- When using a contrast agent, allergic reactions are possible. Before conducting the study, it is necessary to make a test for individual intolerance.