What is an MRI photograph? What is the diagnosis of MRI?

Diagnosis of many diseases is significantly hindered by the fact that to accurately determine the problem it is necessary to see the characteristics of external changes in the tissue, a change in its structure. It is in such cases that the optimal diagnostic method is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

Imaging by means of MRI is very common today, as it allows to visualize almost all internal organs and reveal structural changes in tissues and organs; In particular, layered photographs of the MRI of the brain are very informative and very helpful in diagnosing intracranial oncological neoplasms, strokes (especially the opportunity to see the focus in a hemorrhagic stroke), as well as the pathology of the vessels (aneurysms or malformations); It is necessary to carry out MRI and in severe craniocerebral trauma.

Advantages

The MRI method combines visualization and demonstration, but at the same time, safety for the patient.

An undeniable advantage of MRI is that such detailed detailed detailed images of internal organs and tissues can be obtained without the use of contrast agents.

However, in some cases, contrast enhancement is used for more detailed visualization; In particular, it is applicable in the study of the pathology of cerebral vessels. Pictures of MRI of the brain with contrast are very informative, with acute violations of cerebral circulation, as they make it possible to track the level of the vessel's lesion and the exact dimensions of the pathological focus.

How does the scanner work?

Under the influence of magnetic oscillations, the behavior of hydrogen atoms changes, since the regime of motion of a positively charged particle in the nucleus of a hydrogen atom changes. When the traffic ceases, energy released by the device is ejected.

The diagnostic technique of MRI works on the basis of the phenomenon of magnetic resonance. The principle of the diagnostic equipment a consists in the transformation of radio signals into a picture. A converting radio signal is obtained from a magnetic resonance spectrometer.

Due to the properties of hydrogen atoms, the content of which in the human body reaches ten percent, such diagnostics become possible without the slightest harm to health.

Having already received the finished image, the specialists of the corresponding profile analyze the resulting image, compare it with the norm and reveal pathological changes.

History of the method

The very phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance was discovered and described in the middle of the twentieth century - in 1946. And the first time to get an image using this technology was possible in 1973.

How is the examination performed

Externally, the apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging looks like a rather narrow long tube.

When examining a patient, put it inside the building with a special couch.

Since the duration of the patient's stay inside the device is quite high - up to forty minutes, and in some complicated cases - even more, the conditions for the patient's stay in the "pipe" should be as comfortable as possible. Inside the device, the lights and ventilation are not bright enough to ensure a quiet breathing. There must be a communication button with the operator conducting the survey.

Preparation

• The MRI procedure should not be performed on a full stomach.
• Before the examination procedure, the patient should remove all metal things (watches, jewelry, hair clips, removable dentures).

Throughout the procedure, the patient is forced to lie as motionless as possible, since an image is formed during the study; And the more clearly it will be, the more accurate and qualitative will be the diagnosis. In this regard, in cases where there is a need to conduct a tomographic study of a small child, together with him in the tomograph specialists are forced to put and the mother.

Results of the survey

A MRI photograph is a series of images that represent layered images of internal organs.

The result of tomographic examination is usually ready, in a few hours after the diagnostic procedure.

The patient receives a printed MRI photograph that reflects the main, key images, as well as a form with the conclusion of a specialist.

For convenience, in many cases, a disk with all, without exception, images obtained during the procedure is also given to the patient's hands. This nuance is very important in those cases if in the future the patient will apply for deciphering the data obtained in the diagnosis to other specialists.

Indications for Tomography

This technique helps with a high degree of accuracy to visualize the state and structure:

• Brain and spinal cord;
• Spine and joints;
• Intervertebral discs;
• Organs of the thoracic and abdominal cavity;
• of cardio-vascular system.

It is also used to diagnose pathological changes in these organs and systems.

Indication is also the situation when for the diagnosis of traumatic injuries is not enough information, which gives an X-ray.

MRI is necessary in cases where there is a suspicion of a structural pathology of tissues or organs.

The peculiarity of the method is that this method is much more effective when studying soft tissues.

Not explored by means of tomography:

• Bone.
• Tissue of the lungs.
• Stomach and all parts of the intestine.

Contra-indications and limitations

The method of magnetic resonance imaging is quite safe and has no age-related contraindications. However, a number of contraindications still exist:

• Given the specifics of this diagnostic technique, it is contraindicated in patients who have any metallic inclusions in the body, say, implants (for example, in the cranial cavity), etc.
• Also, a contraindication for performing magnetic resonance imaging is the presence of a pacemaker in the patient.
• With great care, patients with prostheses should be examined; For example, joint prostheses
• Significant difficulties are the implementation of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with epilepsy and other diseases, for which episodes of loss of consciousness are typical.
• The complexity, in some cases, of a feature such as excessive body weight.

The following cases can be distinguished in the group of relative contraindications:

• The earliest periods of pregnancy.
• Decompensated stage of heart failure.
• Presence of prosthetic vessels or heart valves.
• Presence of tattoos with metal-containing pigments.

Diagnosis of the pathology of the brain

When it comes to diagnostic examination of the brain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most informative type of examination.

In fact, the pictures of the MRI of the brain - a photo of its layers.

Therefore, thanks to this diagnostic technique, the most detailed study of the substance of the brain and the detection of pathologies at the earliest stages become possible.

Snapshots of the MRI of the brain should be done in the following cases:

1. Acute disturbance of cerebral circulation.
2. Severe craniocerebral injury. In case of craniocerebral trauma, an x-ray image of the head is taken to exclude a fracture of the skull bones. MRI, however, will allow us to visualize not only the bones of the skull, but also the state of intracranial structures.
3. Signs of intracranial hypertension. In this situation, the elimination or detection of intracranial volume formation greatly facilitates layered photographs. MRI of the brain in hypertensive syndrome is prescribed to confirm such diagnoses as intracranial hematoma, intracranial tumors, brain abscess.
4. Anomalies in the development of cerebral vessels.
5. Monitoring the state after neurosurgical operations.
6. A detailed snapshot of the MRI will be available and localization will be established and (with repeated studies) the dynamics of development of neurin and cystic formations.

Diagnosis of the pathology of the spine

Magnetic resonance imaging provides the widest possibilities for diagnosing the pathological conditions of the spine.

The result of the diagnostic procedure will be a detailed layered photograph.

MRI of the thoracic spine is assigned according to the following indications:

• Pain syndrome of unknown etiology in the chest area - to exclude primary oncological formations or metastatic lesions.
• Neurologic symptoms, allowing the presence of intervertebral hernia.
• The procedure is applicable both before surgery and after it - to monitor the dynamics of recovery processes.
• Trauma with suspicion of a fracture of the chest - to avoid bone damage. Since the tomogram provides a detailed layered image, it is more informative in these situations than an X-ray.

MRI of the lumbar region is of diagnostic value in the following cases:

• Complaints about pain in the lumbosacral region, with insufficient effectiveness of radiographic examination.
• After traumas of the given area - for exception of bone-traumatic damages.
• In diagnosed vertebral fracture, complicated by displacement of fragments - to clarify the degree of displacement, exclusion of damage to intervertebral cartilage, cerebral membranes and spinal cord.
• For differential diagnosis of degenerative changes in the spine and destruction of the vertebrae as a result of metastatic lesion.
• Neurological symptoms, indicating irritation or compression of the nerve root, require clarification of the cause of compression; In this case for the diagnosis of the case of displacement of the vertebrae, it is enough to make an X-ray. MRI of the spine should be performed to identify pathology from the non-radiocontrast tissues (displacement of the intervertebral disc, disc herniation, inflammatory edema, squeezing the nerve root, neoplasm causing compression).