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Monday, July 13, 2015

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)




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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body. 

In many cases, MRI gives different information about structures in the body than can be seen with an X-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan
MRI also may show problems that cannot be seen with other imaging methods.


For an MRI test, the area of the body being studied is placed inside a special machine that contains a strong magnet. 
Pictures from an MRI scan are digital images that can be saved and stored on a computer for more study. 
The images also can be reviewed remotely, such as in a clinic or an operating room. 
In some cases, contrast material may be used during the MRI scan to show certain structures more clearly.

You may be able to have an MRI with an open machine that doesn't enclose your entire body. But open MRI machines aren't available everywhere. 
The pictures from an open MRI may not be as good as those from a standard MRI machine.


Why It Is Done

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is done for many reasons. 

It is used to find problems such as tumors, bleeding, injury, blood vessel diseases, or infection. MRI also may be done to provide more information about a problem seen on an X-ray, ultrasound scan, or CT scan. 

Contrast material may be used during MRI to show abnormal tissue more clearly. 

An MRI scan can be done for the:

Head. MRI can look at the brain for tumors, an aneurysm, bleeding in the brain, nerve injury, and other problems, such as damage caused by a stroke

MRI can also find problems of the eyes and optic nerves , and the ears and auditory nerves.

Chest. MRI of the chest can look at the heart, the valves, and coronary blood vessels . It can show if the heart or lungs are damaged. MRI of the chest may also be used to look for breast cancer.

Blood vessels. Using MRI to look at blood vessels and the flow of blood through them is called magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). It can find problems of the arteries and veins, such as an aneurysm, a blocked blood vessel, or the torn lining of a blood vessel (dissection). Sometimes contrast material is used to see the blood vessels more clearly.

Abdomen and pelvis. MRI can find problems in the organs and structures in the belly, such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder. It is used to find tumors, bleeding, infection, and blockage. 

In women, it can look at the uterus and ovaries. 
In men, it looks at the prostate.

Bones and joints. MRI can check for problems of the bones and joints, such as arthritis, problems with the temporomandibular joint , bone marrow problems, bone tumors, cartilage problems, torn ligaments or tendons, or infection. 

MRI may also be used to tell if a bone is broken when X-ray results are not clear. MRI is done more commonly than other tests to check for some bone and joint problems.

Spine. MRI can check the discs and nerves of the spine for conditions such as spinal stenosis, disc bulges, and spinal tumors.


How To Prepare

Before your MRI test, tell your doctor and the MRI technologist if you:
Are allergic to any medicines. 
The contrast material used for MRI does not contain iodine. 
If you know that you are allergic to the contrast material used for the MRI, tell your doctor before having another test.

Have a health condition, such as diabetes, sickle cell anemia, or kidney problems. You may need to change your medicine schedule. 
And some conditions may prevent you from having an MRI using contrast material.
Are or might be pregnant.
Have any metal implanted in your body. 

This helps your doctor know if the test is safe for you. 

Tell your doctor if you have:
Heart and blood vessel devices such as a coronary artery stent, a pacemaker, an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator), or a metal heart valve.
Metal pins, clips, or metal parts in your body, including artificial limbs and dental work or braces.
Any other implanted medical device, such as a medicine infusion pump or a cochlear implant.
Cosmetic metal implants, such as in your ears, or tattooed eyeliner.
Had recent surgery on a blood vessel. 

In some cases, you may not be able to have the MRI test.

Have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place. 
An IUD may prevent you from having the MRI test done.
Become very nervous in confined spaces. 
You need to lie very still inside the MRI magnet, so you may need medicine to help you relax. 
Or you may be able to have the test done with open MRI equipment. 
It is not as confining as standard MRI machines.
Wear any medicine patches. 
The MRI may cause a burn at the patch site.

You may need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the test, if you are given a medicine (sedative) to help you relax.

For an MRI of the abdomen or pelvis, you may be asked to not eat or drink for several hours before the test.

You may need to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of the test and agree to have it done.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. 
To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form.
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Hahaha! I experienced one recently on Saturday, 11 July 2015 from about 9am to 10:54 am. 

Its a very uncomfortable test to undergo! 

AND the doctors just said I need ONE but didn't give me the detailed information as above LINK!



Cheers all


Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom

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