Sumer K Sethi, MD
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About Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Oct 23, 2007 10:53PM
- 3 comments
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a way of obtaining images of organs using a magnetic field without using harmful ionizing radiation. It uses a magnnetic field so there are some contraindications peculiar to magnetic field like metallic implants, cardiac pacemakers, cochlear implants etc. There is no risk of because of radiaition and is a non-invasive safe procedure.
It is especially useful for evaluation of Brain and spinal cord. It has advantages of being able to take images in all three planes that is multiplanar imaging.It is also an alternative to CT in patients who are allergic to iodine as contrast material used in MRI is Gadolinium, which is a paramagnetic substance. It has very high soft tissue contrast so has revolutionized soft tissue and musculoskeletal imaging.
It takes a longer time to do a MRI and it is a tunnel like structure so patients with claustrophobia (fear of closed places) may have trouble getting a MRI done
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a way of obtaining images of organs using a magnetic field without using harmful ionizing radiation. It uses a magnnetic field so there are some contraindications peculiar to magnetic field like metallic implants, cardiac pacemakers, cochlear implants etc. There is no risk of because of radiaition and is a non-invasive safe procedure.
It is especially useful for evaluation of Brain and spinal cord. It has advantages of being able to take images in all three planes that is multiplanar imaging.It is also an alternative to CT in patients who are allergic to iodine as contrast material used in MRI is Gadolinium, which is a paramagnetic substance. It has very high soft tissue contrast so has revolutionized soft tissue and musculoskeletal imaging.
It takes a longer time to do a MRI and it is a tunnel like structure so patients with claustrophobia (fear of closed places) may have trouble getting a MRI done
Hi,
Is there an increase risk of cancer due to radiation from MRI's and CT scans?
Thank you.
Is there an increase risk of cancer due to radiation from MRI's and CT scans?
Thank you.
As far as knowledge to date indicates MRI uses magnetic filef and proton in body to form images and doesnt use ionizing radiation so is relatively safer. CTY on the other hand uses ionizing radiation in particular Abdo/Chest CT where the doses of radiation are high, there appears to be a definite risk . Principle to be followed is always a risk vs benefit analysis. It is known as ALARA as low as reasonably achievable.
If we take one chest xray as a unit CT head is equivalent to around 150 CXR and CT Chest/abdo around 350 CXR..
If we take one chest xray as a unit CT head is equivalent to around 150 CXR and CT Chest/abdo around 350 CXR..
Hi,
When I had my MRI, They couldn't believe the amount of metal in my abdomen, it was twice as much, if not more, that a body piercing. Could this have been harmful to me because they followed through with the MRI anyway? Also, I know that you have a forum for this but I can't seem to get any questions posted, but an MRI I recently had indicated that I have anterior extradural defect in the sagittal projection at L4-L5 and minimal spondylosis L3-L4. Im not clear on what this means, could you explain? I have pain in my lower back that runs down my legs, would an MRI showed if a nerve was only compressed, not pinched? Could another MRI indicate a more severe sitiuation since its been while since my last one?
When I had my MRI, They couldn't believe the amount of metal in my abdomen, it was twice as much, if not more, that a body piercing. Could this have been harmful to me because they followed through with the MRI anyway? Also, I know that you have a forum for this but I can't seem to get any questions posted, but an MRI I recently had indicated that I have anterior extradural defect in the sagittal projection at L4-L5 and minimal spondylosis L3-L4. Im not clear on what this means, could you explain? I have pain in my lower back that runs down my legs, would an MRI showed if a nerve was only compressed, not pinched? Could another MRI indicate a more severe sitiuation since its been while since my last one?
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