MRI Scan in Hyderabad - Limitations, Procedure, Uses, Side effects.

What is an MRI scan?

MRI depicts the image of magnetic resonance. MRI scan in Hyderabad uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to capture images on a computer screen. It can show tissues, organs, and other structures within your body. This image is a brain scan with MRI. The person's eyeballs can be seen at the top of the image. 

MRI scans can display clear pictures of various body parts. Therefore, it is useful for all kinds of reasons why some tests (such as X-rays) do not provide enough information. It is commonly used to capture accurate images of the brain and spinal cord, to detect abnormalities and tissue. Even torn muscles around the joints can be detected by MRI scan. It is, therefore, more widely used in terms of sports injuries.

How does an MRI scan work?

Your body contains millions of hydrogen atoms. When you have an MRI scan in Aruna Diagnostics :

A strong magnetic field aligns the particles called protons between hydrogen atoms. All protons are shaped like a magnetic field, like tiny magnets. (Often millions of protons are all lying in random directions.)

After that, a short wave of radio waves is sent from the scanner to your body. Radio waves break down protons in their place.

When the radio waves stop, the protons return to their original position. As they did so they pulled out the radio signals. Protons with different body tissues reassemble at different speeds. Thus, the signal emitted by various body tissues varies. Thus, for example, soft tissues can be separated from hard tissues according to the sent signals.

These signals are detected by the device receiving the scanner.

The receiving device transfers signals to the computer. The computer creates an image based on radio signals emitted from the body.

What does an MRI scan involve?

An MRI scanner resembles a 1.5-meter-long tunnel, surrounded by a large circular magnet. You lie on the couch and slide to the scanner. A ‘reception tool’, such as a plane, is placed on the back, or around, part of the body being examined. This detects small radio signals being emitted from your body. When taking each 'photo' you need to remain silent for a few minutes, otherwise, the scanning image may blur.

The scanner itself is painless. The whole process can take 15-40 minutes. It would be a little uncomfortable sleeping on the couch right now. Young children may need to kill nerves that usually keep them long enough for pictures to be taken. Where you sleep is very well placed and some people may find this disturbing. If you are afraid of claustrophobia you should talk to your doctor about this before you go for a test. Some parts of the country can afford 'open' scanning machines. However, they are not widely available.

Dr Praveen Reddy Radiologist says that, In some cases, a special comparison dye injection is given into the bloodstream through a vein in the arm. This helps to provide clear images of specific tissues or organs under investigation.

The radiographer relaxes in the control room attached to the scanner and stares out the window. However, you can talk to them, usually through an intercom, and you will always be seen by the monitor.

The scanner is noisy so you will be provided with headphones or earplugs to protect your ears from the noise. You can often listen to the radio with headphones or carry a CD to listen to.

MRI uses

Brain: MRI is the first diagnostic test for brain tissue, as it produces clearer images than computer tomography (CT) and shows difficult areas of the brain. There exists a clear difference between the gray and white parts of the brain and this executes MRI the best choice in many other cases, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy.

Musculoskeletal system: Here, MRI is used to look at the spine - to diagnose diseases associated with soft tissues.

Digestive system: MRI allows diagnostic tests that do not cause inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal infections. It can also look at liver and pancreatic problems.

Arterial and cardiovascular: this is called magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and produces images of the arteries looking at the abnormal narrowing or wall of the vessel (those at risk of rupture). MRA is commonly used to examine blood vessels and brains, chest and abdominal aorta, kidney vessels, and legs. It can also be used to diagnose congenital heart disease.

What are the limitations of an MRI scanner?

1. MRI scans have shown that it sometimes provides serious deception and therefore further tests may be needed to confirm abnormalities.
2. It is more expensive than a mammogram so not everyone can afford it.
3. MRI scans take a long time so that people who are afraid of the immediate area (claustrophobia) may need medication to calm them down.
4. It is difficult to scan certain areas of the body such as the rectum.
5. People who wear metal equipment may not be able to perform MRI diagnostic tests because of the potential danger.
6. Children may need to be an anesthetist to stay still because scanning takes longer.
7. Some black ink tattoos may contain metal pieces that will impair image quality.

What are the potential side effects of an MRI scan?

An MRI scan is painless and is thought to be safe. MRI scans do not use X-rays so the potential concerns associated with X-ray images and CT scans in Hyderabad (using X-rays) are not related to MRI scans.

However:

Usually, some people react to a comparative dye that is sometimes used. Pregnant women are usually recommended not to have an MRI scan except it is urgent. Although scanning is considered safe, the long-term effects of a strong magnetic field on a growing child are still unknown.