 WHAT
IS MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most effective
diagnostic imaging study used by physicians to obtain diagnostic
information. MRI produces pictures of your body without the use
of harmful radiation required with x-ray, CAT scan, and nuclear
medicine. MRI gives much clearer and more detailed pictures compared
to ultrasound, X-ray, bone scan, or PET scan. MRI is a noninvasive
procedure with no known side effects. The procedure is painless
– In fact, you won’t feel anything. MRI is used for
all parts of the body. It is effective in the clinical evaluation
of the conditions listed below. MRI can also give your doctor very
important information regarding the presence of inflammation or
infection, tumors, and other conditions which are not easily evaluated
by any other test. Often, when doctors cannot find an explanation
for symptoms, MRI is the most effective way to diagnose the problem.
MRI versus Other Imaging Procedures
X-Ray – Shows a two-dimensional
flat image that is good for a basic evaluation.
Bone scan/Nuclear medicine
scan – A radioactive material is injected and
the patient is scanned looking for “hot spots” that
indicate a metabolically active process. This is a metabolic test,
not a structural evaluation.
Ultrasound
– Imaging using sound waves. Good for evaluation of general
abnormalities in the abdomen/pelvis region. Also used to measure
velocity of blood flow in the vessels (Doppler/duplex). A good screening
test, rarely diagnostic.
CAT scan – Computerized
axial tomography. X-ray slices, limited to two dimensions
with synthetic three-dimensional reconstruction available. A CAT
scan provides better detail than x-ray for bony detail. Good for
looking at problems in the chest/abdomen/pelvis, however, MRI is
often needed to specifically differentiate CAT scan findings.
Magnetic Resonance
Myelography
Open
MRI/Imagimed® is pleased to expand our comprehensive imaging options
for the spine with MR Myelography. This simple noninvasive procedure
supplements our comprehensive standard diagnostic imaging evaluation
of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine. It requires no
patient preparation and is performed without any injection of contrast
material. MR myelography provides information regarding the structure
of the dural sac and spinal canal and can detect and demonstrated
disc disease, tumors and spinal stenosis. It is completely non-invasive
and provides an imaging alternative to painful and invasive plain
myelography. MR myelography can be scheduled as a separate examination
or in conjunction with a cervical, thoracic, or lumbosacral spine
MRI examination. Our fellowship trained radiologists are experienced
in MR myelography and, as always, a prompt and detailed report of
imaging findings will be sent to referring physicians that request
this examination.
MR myelography is yet another component of the comprehensive imaging
options that Open MRI/Imagimed® offers primary care physicians, orthopedists,
neurologists, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, and all health practitioners
in imaging the axial skeleton. This supplements our high-resolution
standard spine imaging, weightbearing imaging of the lumbar spine,
and biomechanical assessments. Open MRI/Imagimed® provides the most
comprehensive and detailed spine evaluation available; no other
imaging facility in the state offers all these comprehensive outpatient
imaging solutions. At Open MRI/Imagimed®, we offer the most thorough
patient evaluation and care available today.
MRI is indicated for the evaluation of:
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BRAIN HEAD AND NECK
- Headache
- Stroke
- Acute/subacute stroke/ischemia/infarction, with diffusion-weighted
images
- Demyelinating and dysmyelinating disorders including
multiple sclerosis
- Seizure disorders
- Post concussion syndrome
- Temporomandibular joint derangement
- Primary CNS neoplasm (Tumor)
- Cerebral metastatic disease
- Pituitary adenoma or other suspected juxtasellar or parasellar
abnormality
- Acoustic schwannoma and other disorders of the posterior
fossa
- Vascular malformation
- Pharyngeal, retropharyngeal or salivary gland mass
- Orbits or retro-orbital mass
- Hydrocephalus
- Congenital malformation of brain
- Evaluation of patients with suspected clinical symptomatology
and negative Cat Scan examination
- Parathyroid adenoma
- Suspected Infection
- Suspected Inflammation
- Disorders of the larynx
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CHEST
- Suspected Infection
- Disorders of the chest wall
- Aortic aneurysms and dissections
- Tumor
- Mediastinal mass
- Lymphadenopathy
- Hilar pathology
- Pancoast tumor
- Substernal Goiter
- Brachial plexus lesion
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SPINE
- Back pain, sciatica
- Suspected herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Metastatic disease
- Primary Tumors
- Failed postoperative back syndrome
- Demyelinating disease
- Syringomyelia
- Osteomyelitis/discitis/Infection
- Congenital abnormality
- Meningocele, meningomyelocele, spina bifida
- Arnold-Chiari malformation
- Neurofibroma
- Alignment abnormalities/spondylolisthesis
- Chiropractic biomechanical assessment
- Refractory Pain
- Post-traumatic Paralysis
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PELVIS/GYNECOLOGY
- Pelvic masses
- Uterine fibroid
- Metastatic disease
- Endometriosis
- Tumor
- Ovarian and adnexal masses
- Pelvic pain
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Diverticulosis of the colon
- Positive Ultrasound findings
- Aortic aneurysms and dissections
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MUSCOLOSKELETAL/JOINTS
- Suspected ligament, tendon, or meniscal injury
- Osteochondritis dissecans, osteochondral disorders
- Avascular necrosis
- Stress fracture
- Osteomyelitis/Infection
- Persistent Joint Pain
- Inflammatory disease
- Myositis -Muscle rupture
- Joint effusion/Fluid
- Tumors/Masses
- Primary Malignancy
- Metastatic Malignancy
- Ganglion cyst
- Morton's neuroma of the foot
- Accessory (extra) Bones
- Multiple Myeloma
- Leukemia/Lymphoma
- Benign Bone Tumors
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ABDOMEN
- Tumor
- Metastatic disease
- Primary hepatic neoplasm
- Pheochromocytoma
- Renal neoplasm
- Patency of portal or splenic vein
- inferior vena cava or portosystemic shunts
- Adrenal lesion (specific characterization for adrenal
adenomas)
- Pancreatitis
- Choledocholithiasis (gall stones)
- Indeterminate liver lesion found on CT or ultrasound studies
- MR angiography
- MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)
- postoperative right upper quadrant pain
- Dilated common bile duct found on CT/Ultrasound studies
- Choledocholithiasis
- Evaluation of cystic duct remnant
- Pancreatitis
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PEDIATRIC
- MRI can clearly define soft tissue
- Abnormalities without Ionizing Radiation
- Sedation is typically used in children under Eight years
old
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The benefits of Magnetic Resonance Imaging are
many, and new applications are being developed through ongoing research. |
