magnetic resonance imaging scanning

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of inside the body
• MRI scanner causes the atoms in your body to align in the same direction. 

  Radio waves are then sent from the MRI machine and move these atoms out of the original position. 

  Radio waves are turned off, the atoms return to their original position and send back radio signals.
• X-rays uses radiation

  • Create a 2D image
  • Used mainly to see bones, pneumonia and some cancer tumours
  • Most common diagnostic imaging, least expensive except for ultrasound
• MRI’s uses magnet and radio waves

  • Create a 3D image
  • Used mainly to see brain, spine, breasts, muscle, joints, abdomen
  • Creates cross section images
  • Most expensive diagnostic imaging
  • Can take up to an hour and a half
• Since MRI uses a very strong magnet, metal on or inside the body may be affected, so any device, metal, or shrapnel in your body should be declared to assess the type of metal before an MRI scan is taken, they may heat up quickly.
• The patient should have been given an information leaflet at the same time as their appointment but may still have questions.

  Clothing with metal buttons and zips must be worn, maybe a gown.

  As with all procedures, introduce yourself and check you have the right patient.
• internal metal

  Before a patient has an MRI scan their medical history, such as medical implants containing magnetic metals;

  • Cochlear (ear) implant, hearing aids.
  • Brain aneurysm clip
  • Metal stents opening blood vessels.
  • Neurostimulators or implanted programmable devices.
  • Cardiac pacemakers
• external metal

  -piercings

  -rings
• Sometimes the contrast agent can cause side effects, such as:

  • feeling or being sick
  • a skin rash
  • a headache
  • dizziness

  Some MRI scans involve having an injection of contrast agent (dye). This makes certain tissues and blood vessels show up more clearly and in greater detail.