Today, one often hears about a medical term such as MRI. The question is, what is the diagnosis of MRI? Why is this new research method available? What are the contraindications and, conversely, when are they prescribed? Everyone needs to know the answers to these questions, because who knows, maybe in the future such a procedure will be simply necessary.
Medicine does not stand still, but is constantly evolving, looking for new methods to give people such long-awaited health. The diagnostic method is, of course, not a miracle cure, but a warning factor that can help cope with the disease at an early stage. Do not neglect the methods that have already won a place in our lives.
What is an MRI diagnosis
Magnetic resonance imaging is a method of studying internal organs and their tissues by exposing the body to nuclear magnetic resonance. A procedure that uses a magnetic field to create an image that is transmitted to a computer. This procedure does not use x-rays.
Modern MRI diagnostics has become popular among a wide range of people with various health problems, as it is completely harmless and has no side effects. No medical procedure gives a better idea of human health than MRI. In one tomography session, you can learn about problems associated with the nervous system, musculoskeletal system and any internal organs.
In a short period, the whole picture of the changes in the human body opens. If there are indications for such a study, it is better to use the advice of a doctor to rule out a terrible disease. Research will never hurt, especially those that do not harm the body. Better prevention than treatment.
Background to the appearance of magnetic resonance imaging
If you recall the story, then the discovery of x-rays surprised all doctors. This technique was literally immediately started to be used in practice, while no one investigated magnetic resonance for 20 years. And mentioning this technique, they date back to the pre-war time. Before World War II, German physicists were already working with magnetic resonance. Although this method was not common, it was already known.
In 1983, the first serial MR systems appeared. In 1984, the first tomograph was installed. Throughout this time, the appearance of the device has not changed, but its capabilities have increased. Although this diagnostic method has not found recognition in the past, it is well recognized today.
Complex magnetic operations are not performed without magnetic resonance imaging , as doctors prefer to know what they are dealing with. The picture clearly shows both the tumor and other abnormalities, so the surgeon can confidently do his job without fear of harm.
MRI diagnostic method
One of the most effective diagnostic methods in our time. This is a safe technique without radiation exposure to the body. It is applied even to children and the elderly. During the study, the patient lies on a special couch, which moves under the scanning apparatus. The procedure does not give any physical load on the body and does not cause inconvenience. The problem arises only if a person is panicky afraid of a closed room, but in this case anesthesia is used.
The sliding table moves to fix the diseased part of the body. Within an hour or a little more, depending on the type of study, the doctor gets a complete picture of the patient’s health status.
In which cases magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed
The possibilities of MRI diagnostics are very large, because within a few hours you can diagnose a serious disease. Usually this procedure is prescribed for the following diseases, which relate to:
- Brain.
- Spine and spinal cord.
- Pathologies of bones and joints.
- Tumor
It gives a clear picture of what is happening inside the body and discovers pathologies. The procedure is prescribed as a control after ultrasound or CT to confirm the diagnosis. Diagnosis of brain MRI is the main procedure for examining an important part of the body.
MRI of the brain
Brain imaging is one of the most important procedures. Since the processes that are laid in the head are responsible for the whole organism. If there is a problem with the brain, then an MRI should be done immediately.
Diagnosis of brain MRI is a procedure that can be of three types. One of them is the determination of the dynamics of blood flow by cutting certain vessels. You can find out how intensively the blood passes. This procedure helps to determine if there are any foreign bodies in the vessels that interfere with the blood circulation.
Phase contrast tomography includes the introduction of a contrast agent that illuminates the blood vessels. This method helps to see even better what the cause of the disease is for its further elimination.
A four-dimensional study helps to separate arterial blood from venous. Thus, it is possible to specifically determine in which part of the head the blood supply process is disturbed. Brain angiography helps to identify the following diseases:
- Aneurysm.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Stenosis.
- Vasculitis, etc.
On the computer image, all the changes that have occurred in the tissues of the brain are noticeable. A contrast agent can easily determine if there is a problem or should be sought elsewhere.
MRI of the spine
To find out the cause of the pain in the back, a diagnosis of the spine is necessary. MRI of the spinal column and its branches helps to accurately determine the condition of the spine, ligaments and muscles of the spinal cord. Shows the deformation of tissues and tendons.
This method helps not to get lost in speculation about the diagnosis, but in an hour to get an accurate examination. The lumbosacral region is responsible for the musculoskeletal system, respectively, is an important study for healthy movement.
No special preparation is required, just lie still for an accurate scan of the spine. The method helps to exclude:
- Spinal hernia.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Encephalomyelitis.
A displacement of the disc or a pinched nerve can be realistically diagnosed and active treatment started to avoid further serious consequences.
Magnetic resonance imaging of joints
Joint MRI is the only method that helps to find out the state of these internal tissues. An accurate picture of what is happening can be seen already in the early stages of the disease. And this, in turn, reduces the likelihood of surgery without a confirmed diagnosis. Diagnosis of the knee joint, shoulder, hip and others helps to identify the problem in time and begin its immediate treatment. Such diseases lead to disability, so do not underestimate medicine.
Indications for joint tomography:
- Tumors of bone and soft tissue.
- Fractures.
- Chronic arthritis
- Infringement of tendons and nerves.
- Osteoarthritis.
Magnetic resonance imaging of tumors
MRI diagnosis of tumors of different tissues helps to determine the presence of a malignant formation. Tumors can be divided into two types:
- Bone
- Fabric.
Most often there are formations on the internal organs. This condition is accompanied by sharp pains at the site of the tumor and increased body temperature, as a reaction to inflammation. There are cases of late diagnosis, when you have to remove the entire organ along with adjacent tissues. But with early diagnosis, such an outcome can be avoided. One of the advantages of this method is the ability to see how widespread the disease is and to begin to eradicate it immediately.
Tumors that are near bone tissue also carry some danger. In the event that such a neoplasm is malignant, additional therapy is prescribed after removal. The MRI method identifies the problem, and after the doctor describes the picture, that is, issues his opinion on his hands.
How to prepare for tomography
As such, special training is not required. This procedure takes from 20 minutes to an hour and a half and is completely painless. The only point is that you must adhere to a special diet when scanning the intestines. The doctor informs about such preparation in advance.
The main thing is to relax and not give a feeling of fear. What is the diagnosis of MRI? This is a painless procedure, so there is no reason to worry. Some are afraid of the monotony of the tomograph's movements and the noise that emanates from it. But all this is not capable of causing harm. The procedure must be treated as a mandatory measure to improve health.
When the results are ready
Since all information is recorded on electronic media, then there is a need to print the picture and describe it. For this, the doctor will need some time. But, as a rule, the results of tomography are ready in one to two days. It all depends on the diagnosis and, of course, on the number of visitors.
As a matter of urgency, all information can be dumped onto electronic media and already shown to the doctor in this form. There are conditions that are urgent, so the doctor describes the picture urgently.
Contraindications to the procedure
Although the procedure is quite effective and can accurately explain the cause of the disease, it has certain contraindications. These include two factors: absolute and relative. Both one and the other does not allow using such a diagnosis.
It is strictly forbidden to undergo magnetic resonance imaging for patients who have metal implants or the same kind of fragments in the body. The presence of such anomalies in the body must be informed by a doctor. It is necessary to clearly understand what the diagnosis of MRI is. This is an effect on the body of a magnetic field, and a magnet attracts metal things to itself, which are displaced and can cause injury to internal organs.
The presence of a pacemaker is also a contraindication to the procedure. Nerve stimulants, claustrophobia, pregnancy make this procedure impossible. In this case, doctors can offer other research methods that will not affect human health.
Reviews about the results of the procedure
What is the diagnosis of MRI? This is a progressive method of checking your health, which makes it possible to protect yourself from serious diseases. Many patients who have undergone this procedure share their impressions. A method that can replace several diagnostic operations under local anesthesia is an MRI diagnosis. Reviews of patients who have undergone gynecological research suggest that this procedure does not carry negative feelings, but maintains emotional health.
Some patients are very afraid of the procedure itself, but after its completion they admit that not everything is so bad. After all, this method helps painlessly find out about problems with your health. They complain about the noise and the fact that they have to lie on a retractable bed for a long time. But this is nothing compared to the ability to rule out many diseases.
Magnetic resonance imaging is an effective diagnostic method for the entire human body. The best way to prevent various diseases and complete control over chronic ones. It is very important to know if a simple ailment has grown into something more dangerous. If the doctor prescribes such an important study, do not neglect, health is more expensive than money. Nothing is more important for a person than to maintain health in good condition, because what you lose once you won’t get back!