Proper diagnosis is crucial to treating a medical illness or injury. There are several ways to diagnose a disease or injury, one of which is diagnostic imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-known type of diagnostic imaging that has a key role in screening almost every internal organ of your body, especially soft tissues.
It is a non-invasive and painless medical imaging procedure that utilizes strong magnetic fields and computer-generated radio waves to produce detailed and clear images of tissues and internal organs of the body.
If you have an MRI scheduled and are wondering how MRI works, this article will provide a good grasp of how MRI works, its procedure, when it is recommended, and where you can go for an MRI in The Bronx, NY.
MRI: How it Works?
MRI scanner looks like a large tube with both ends open. It has a moveable table on which the patient lays and slides into the machine. This scanner uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to generate scans of internal body structures.
During MRI, the scanner passes a strong electric current through coiled wires that produce temporary magnetic fields in your body. The radio waves are also directed to your body from a transmitter that sends and receives radio waves. The computer uses these signals to create an image of the scanned area of the body which appears on the screen.
What MRI Procedure is Like?
For scanning, you will lie down on the table that will slide into the large circular opening of the scanner machine. A technician will monitor you from the other room and constantly communicate with you to calm your nerves.
During the procedure, you will be directed not to move. For this purpose, pillows or straps may be used. Due to repetitive tapping and thumping of the magnet, you will feel noise around you. You will be provided with a headset or earplugs to block the noise from the machine.
If needed, the technician may inject a contrast dye into your body through an IV line, or you may be asked to swallow the harmless contrast dye. The contrast dye helps improve certain details.
The entire procedure lasts from 20 minutes to more than an hour, meaning you will have to be still during the scan to avoid blurry results.
If you are claustrophobic, getting an open MRI scan is best.
Uses of MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for evaluating and diagnosing the following conditions:
- Abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord, such as brain aneurysms, brain and spinal tumors, spine anatomy and alignment, etc.
- Cardiac conditions such as coronary artery disease.
- Tumors and cysts in different body parts, such as breast
- Joints conditions such as injuries or abnormalities in joints
- Eye and inner ear problems
- Problems with abdominal organs, such as the liver and bile ducts, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, uterus, ovaries, and prostate
- Problems with fetus development
MRI Scanning in The Bronx, NY
Looking for an MRI facility in your area? Visit us at Starling Diagnostics, where we use 3T MRI technology, which generates two times stronger magnetic field than traditional MRI, to allow a much clearer and better imaging and precise detection of abnormalities quickly.
Our technicians and radiologists are also highly experienced and committed to delivering precise and high-quality imaging results.
Want to make an MRI appointment? Call us today at (718) 319-1610 or fill out our convenient online request form.
