The human brain is a complex organ with limited capabilities for the study and diagnosis of pathologies. One of the most effective and demonstrative methods for studying the brain is magnetic resonance imaging. This type of diagnostic measure is prescribed most often for the initial determination of organ functional impairment.
Indications for appointment
MRI of the brain and head is a key study in a series of diagnostic measures that determine the causes of dysfunction of the main organ of a person. This diagnostic method is prescribed for the initial determination of the diagnosis, as well as to clarify the verdict, monitoring the course of therapy, and is used as a tool in preparation for surgical interventions.
For the study, there are direct indications when the patient needs to undergo a diagnosis. MRI of the brain is prescribed for the following symptoms or conditions:
- Severe headaches, often occurring suddenly or with a certain frequency, while the causes of their appearance have not been elucidated by other research methods.
- If a tumor is suspected, as well as in cases where the neoplasm was previously diagnosed, it is necessary to track its development.
- MRI of the brain should be systematically performed in patients with epilepsy at any stage of development or the form of the disease (single seizures, chronic course).
- A sharp decrease in severity or sudden loss of hearing, vision with unknown reasons, impaired coordination of movements.
- Monitoring the patient's condition after strokes or myocardial infarction, as well as in the pre-stroke, pre-infarction period.
- Loss of consciousness, fainting, cramps, problems with concentration, sudden impaired speech and memory.
- Meningitis of any form and stage of development, spinal osteochondrosis in the cervical region.
- Traumatic brain injuries, infectious lesions, inflammatory processes.
- To monitor the condition of patients with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis
- A brain MRI scan is performed for patients with ENT pathologies (sinusitis, rhinitis, otitis media, etc.) to determine the causes and treatment tactics of the pathology.
- To study the condition of the vessels of the neck, brain (blockages, aneurysms, atherosclerotic plaques, etc.).
- Diagnosis before surgery on the brain, blood vessels. Scanning in the postoperative period.
Contraindications
Brain MRI is a safe procedure that does not pose a threat to the patient’s health. But there are contraindications:
- Diagnosis is strictly prohibited if metal objects are present in the patient's body. These include - an implanted pacemaker or other implants, a metal prosthesis, tattoos, which were applied using paints with natural pigments from metal oxides, an insulin pump, etc.
- During pregnancy in the first trimester. Doctors advise giving up MRI at any stage of pregnancy if there is no threat to the life of the mother or child.
- Contraindicated in pathologies of the pituitary gland, cardiovascular failure.
- MRI with contrast is not prescribed for people with allergies, and children under 6 years of age.
- Circulatory pathologies in the brain are an absolute contraindication to conducting a magnetic resonance imaging study.
- For children under 6 years of age, an MRI of the brain is performed only with good evidence.
- Do not conduct this type of diagnosis in patients with artificial heart valves.
- It is recommended to avoid this type of diagnosis for people with fear of confined spaces (relative contraindication).
Diagnostic Methods
When conducting an MRI of the brain, various methods are used, the choice of each of them is determined by the studied area or indications. A general review study allows you to get a branched image of the entire organ, its individual parts, to track blood flow and the movement of intracerebral fluid.
In the study of stroke conditions, a functional technique is used that allows visually, on the monitor screen, to see a kind of map of the brain regions responsible for certain functions - speech, vision centers and others.
When conducting an MRI of the brain, the operator may ask the patient to conduct certain tests that stimulate blood flow to certain centers in order to identify probable violations in their functionality.
If neoplasms are suspected, contrasting is used. Brain MRI with contrast allows you to determine the nature of the tumor - benign or malignant, to identify the size of the neoplasm, foci of lesions, inflammation, developmental abnormalities of a congenital or acquired nature. Contrast agents are also administered to study blood vessels.
MRI of the brain vessels
Diagnostics of cerebral vessels using magnetic resonance imaging takes place in angiography mode. The study is used in cases where it is necessary to visualize the causes of blood flow disorders. Symptoms of vascular pathologies are often fainting, dizziness, impaired coordination, fainting conditions, loss of consciousness, etc.
Survey angiography visualizes in real time the movement of blood through the vessels, allows you to clarify the functional indicators - blood speed, cramps, vascular lumen. Pathology of the circulatory system is also available to the review - blood clots, narrowing of veins, stratification of the walls of blood vessels, organic lesions, blockages and other pathologies.
Indications for angiography are:
- Vascular malformation (interpenetration of blood vessels).
- Aneurysms of blood vessels.
- Atherosclerotic deposits.
- Vascular vasculitis.
- Preoperative studies to identify vascular pattern.
Types of cerebrovascular research
Violation of the blood supply to the brain leads to various pathological consequences of the whole organism and affects many functions of a person, therefore, the vessels are examined carefully and using several methods:
- Arteriography (diagnosis of arteries).
- Venography (visualization and study of the venous system).
- Angiography (examination of veins and arteries).
Studies of the venous system of the brain are indicated for patients with traumatic brain injuries (fresh, old), stroke, thrombosis, anomalies in the location and development of veins. Arteriography is carried out with the introduction of special compounds - contrast agents, such a step visualizes the smallest capillaries and leading arteries. On the monitor, any changes and defects of blood vessels, atherosclerotic lesions, neoplasms in brain tissues are fully noticeable.
General angiography is indicated for unexplained vascular lesions for primary diagnosis. It is recommended in the pre- and postoperative periods to assess the condition and location of the vascular system, and is also carried out to monitor the course of therapy to correct prescriptions.
What MRI will show
Until recently, obtaining not too informative visualization of organs was possible only with the help of radiography, cardinal changes in the diagnostic capabilities changed with the advent of brain MRI. Where can I do the research? Almost all large diagnostic clinics in the public and private sectors of medicine have devices for research on several methods.
To make magnetic resonance scanning is available both in price and in geography. Any regional medical center has the necessary technical equipment, and sometimes several devices with advanced capabilities or improved basic characteristics.
MRI of the brain. What the study shows:
- Structural changes, disorders of brain tissue, blood vessels.
- Identifies signs of a stroke.
- It determines the presence of hematomas, blood clots, hemorrhages, contusion deformities with the exact location.
- Recognizes the threat of multiple sclerosis, demonstrates the location and magnitude of atherosclerotic plaques.
- Malformation, ruptures, aneurysms of blood vessels.
- Identifies possible inflammation in the tissues or vessels of the brain.
- In the angiography mode, a specialist will determine blood flow indicators, vascular changes, etc.
Survey MRI of the brain gives the doctor the opportunity to determine how the structure of the patient’s organ is different from the norm. Visualization confirms or refutes suspicions of impaired functionality, brain activity, and demonstrates changes after traumatic brain injuries. Today, the question of where to do an MRI of the brain, the connection with the presence of devices in almost all clinics and hospitals is no longer relevant. More relevant is the choice of an experienced professional to read the results.
The role of MRI in diagnosis
The exact and correct verdict of a doctor working with large amounts of MRI research data determines the disease and its treatment methods, which greatly facilitates the patient's path to a quick recovery. Tomography is effective not only for the diagnosis of diseases, but also is an indispensable tool in preparing for operations on the brain and blood vessels. In the postoperative period, it gives the specialist an informative picture of the changes that have taken place and the dynamics of recovery and restoration of functions.
Today, the availability of brain MRI in Moscow and in all regions of the Russian Federation has enabled doctors to work more efficiently and more accurately, which has a positive effect on the health of patients, and plays a large role in the prevention of many diseases. The identification of prerequisites for microstrokes, often not noticeable to the patient, has become an available option with the advent of magnetic resonance scanning of the brain. This allows you to take preventive measures and prevent the pathological development of events, to avoid harmful consequences.
Brain MRI in Moscow and other Russian cities in the hands of an experienced doctor helps to quickly, with millimeter accuracy, determine the size, location of the tumor, hematoma resulting from a traumatic brain injury, identify aneurysms or blood clots in the bloodstream. Examination of the brain after concussion is an easy way to see the extent of the lesion and avoid complications.
Brain scan in children
MRI of the brain is recommended for the child after he reaches the age of six. After a series of studies, specialists came to the conclusion that radio waves do not harm not only adults, but also children’s bodies. If there are indications for research at an earlier age, then diagnosis by this method is acceptable from infancy.
A feature of the procedure is the immovable position of the body for a rather long time (at least 25 minutes), but more often it takes about 40 minutes, it is difficult for a child to maintain uniformity and a static position. Parents come to the rescue, negotiating with their child through a communication channel, and in some cases, attract an anesthetist.
In case of immersion in artificial sleep , a series of preliminary consultations with the anesthetist and his mandatory presence on the MRI diagnostic procedure are required. Brain studies using contrast agents do not harm the children's body, but it is necessary to take into account the likelihood of allergic reactions, for this reason a series of allergotests for contrast agents used in brain MRI are preliminarily carried out.
The addresses of diagnostic centers, state medical institutions where magnetic resonance scanning can be performed can be suggested by the attending physician. Most often, the specialist gives a referral to the center, the diagnosticians of which inspire his confidence and are satisfied with the level of professional competence.
Deciphering the results
The interpretation of the results is carried out immediately after the procedure. A radiologist is usually enough for this 30 minutes. Pictures, along with decoding, are given to the patient for further transfer to the attending physician.
What is contained in the accompanying description:
- The speed and nature of the movement of blood (blood flow).
- The movement of cerebrospinal fluid (main characteristics, unless otherwise indicated).
- Activity of the cerebral cortex (determined by testing).
- The degree of diffusion of brain tissue.
- Confirmation or refutation of suspected disease for which the patient has referred.
Based on the results of the study, the following diagnoses can be established or refuted:
- Cerebral ischemia.
- The presence of neoplasms, their location, size, nature.
- Cystic formations.
- Hypoxia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy.
- Pathologies of the development of brain structures, etc.
Scanning the brain using magnetic resonance imaging allows you to determine functional disorders, especially blood flow, structural changes, signs of the onset of a number of diseases. The advantages of the method are high information content, painlessness, lack of preparatory and rehabilitation periods, the ability to conduct research as often as necessary.
Useful information
The technically and medically saturated city, where the largest number of well-equipped clinics are concentrated, is the capital. It offers a wide range of techniques for conducting MRI of the brain. In Moscow, the addresses of centers offering magnetic resonance imaging include more than 250 clinics. The cost of the procedure varies from 1300 to 13500 rubles.
TOP-5 clinics with a high rating, according to patient reviews:
- “European Diagnostic Center MRI”, address: Nagatinskaya Street, Building 25, Building 1.
- “MRI-Biryulyovo”, address: Zagoryevsky passage, building 1.
- Moscow MRI Center, address: 32 Nizhny Novgorod Street.
- "Diagnostic and treatment center", address: Prospect them. Vernadsky, building 5, building 1.
- "MRT-24", address: Ordzhonikidze street, building 10.
Brain MRI is the best method for obtaining complete information about the state of an organ. Thanks to this diagnostic procedure, specialists got full access to assess the functionality of each area of the brain, and patients are spared the need to undergo x-rays or traumatic punctures.