Let’s Talk About… MRIs
August 9, 2009 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of testing used to diagnose and track treatment of various diseases without using radiation. Instead, MRIs use magnets and radio waves to form the images.
MRIs have other advantages over computed tomography (CT) scans and x-rays. The most important advantage is that MRIs can provide a greater contrast between the bones and the soft body tissues, like ligaments and muscles.
X-rays have been around for more than a century now; MRIs are definitely the new kids on the block. They won’t replace x-rays but they can improve a doctor’s ability to diagnose and treat patients.
MRIs may be done with or without a contrast dye, most commonly, gadolinium . If a dye is used, it is injected into your vein and is seen by the doctor as it makes its way through the blood stream. Contrast dye may also be injected directly into a joint so doctors may see what is going on inside.
Who can’t have an MRI
Because MRIs operate with strong magnets, people who have heart pacemakers can’t have an MRI. Doctors would need to find an alternative test in that case.
Also, if you have any of the following, you must mention this to your doctor before undergoing an MRI, because of the metal they may contain, depending on how old they are and what they were made of:
- Clips put in place to treat a brain aneurysm
- Artificial heart valve
- Cochlear implant
- Artificial joint
- Stents placed into arteries to keep them open
The test
An MRI is painless but some people do feel a bit anxious while in the scanner. You are asked to lie on a stretcher, which then slides into the scanner. Some people ask for a mild sedative so they don’t get too anxious while undergoing the test. Also the test can be noisy as the machine does its work. If this disturbs you, you can ask for ear plugs to block the sounds.
Any dangers?
The only dangers involved in MRIs occur if the patients or someone in the room has metal objects on their person.
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Part of the Let’s Talk About… series
Image courtesy PhotoXpress.com
