Why Are You Ill? Know Before You Pay The Bill!

Magnetic Resonance Imaging also known as MRI is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images which are often used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring. This sophisticated technology detects the issues one has with the brain, spine, joints, abdomen, pelvic region, breast, blood vessels, heart and more.

Talking about how the process is functioned: To obtain an MRI image, a patient is placed inside a large magnet where he must remain very still during the imaging in order to not end up blurring the image. MRIs employ powerful magnets which produce a strong magnetic field that forces protons in the body to align with that field. A radiofrequency current is then pulsed through the patient who stimulates the protons, and spin out of equilibrium, straining against the pull of the magnetic field. This allows the protons to realign with the magnetic field only letting the physicians to understand the types of tissues based on the magnetic properties. MRIs are used to observe brain structures or organization and determine which areas of the brain are “activated” (consume more oxygen) during various cognitive tasks i.e. for assessing neurological status and neurosurgical risk.

An MRI is done to scan a specific portion of the body depending on the symptoms, in order to diagnose:

  •       Tumours.
  •       Heart damage.
  •       Lung damage.
  •       Problems with your eyes or ears.
  •       Sports injuries.
  •       Problems with the spine, including disc (rubbery cushions between your backbones) problems or spinal tumours.
  •       Problems with your veins or arteries.
  •       Brain abnormalities, such as tumours, and dementia.
  •       Abdominal/digestive tract problems.
  •       Bone diseases and conditions.
  •       Pelvic problems (in women) or prostate problems (in men).

Learn more here the different kinds of MRI which is used to diagnose numerous potential problems throughout the body:

 

  •       Advanced 3T MRI: 3T MRI sets the standard in image clarity and accuracy while delivering superior measures to promote patient comfort. It is commonly used to generate neuroimaging and musculoskeletal applications such as brain injuries and concussions, epilepsy and brain function, improved preoperative mapping of brain tumours, particular cartilage and periarticular structures and detailed depiction of ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
  •       Female Pelvic MRI or Dynamic Pelvic Floor: It provides detailed pictures of the pelvic floor, a network of muscles that stretches between the pubic bone and spine, and the abdominal organs it supports, including three distinct areas or compartments: the anterior (front) compartment, including the bladder and urethra; the middle compartment, including the vagina, cervix and uterus; the posterior (rear) compartment which includes the rectum.
  •       MRA, MRV & MRI of the Head: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) are specialized examinations that uses a magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the head as well as malformations caused by congenital heart disease in the heart or other blood vessels, and especially in the arteries of children. It also evaluates obstruction of blood vessels and can identify abnormalities, such as aneurysms, in the blood vessels of the head.

  •       Neuron Quant Brain MRI: In order to assess neurodegeneration in its earliest stages this type of MRI is used to measure the volume of brain structures commonly damaged by Alzheimer’s disease.
  •       Secretion MRCP: Is used to detect tumours, stones, inflammation or infection and also to evaluate patients with pancreatitis. This dynamic MR Pancreatography examines detailed cross-sectional images of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, and pancreatic duct.
  •       MR Enterography: the magnetic resonance helps to identify the presence, severity, and possible complications of Crohn’s disease and other types of inflammatory bowel diseases, inflammation, bleeding sources and vascular abnormalities, tumours, abscesses and fistulas and bowel obstructions.