MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, and it is a powerful tool to help medical professionals see inside the body. The technology relies on a powerful magnetic field, in conjunction with radio waves and a computer. It results in clear pictures of the internal structures of the human body and is commonly used to administer brain scans.
There are many benefits of an MRI brain scan and very few drawbacks. Below, you will see a list of advantages, along with the key conditions and diseases an MRI brain scan can detect:
Magnetic resonance imaging will not use radiation to produce images. This differs from two of the other common image-taking methods; x-rays and CT scans. Both of these methods will use ionizing radiation to create images of the head and brain. By not doing this, an MRI brain scan is considerably safer as it presents fewer side effects and doesn’t expose the patient to harmful radiation. Therefore, it’s suitable to take numerous scans in quick succession, without as many risks.
Moreover, an MRI brain scan is also non-invasive. No surgery is needed to see inside the skull and assess the properties of the brain. Everything is done without the need for any invasive methods at all, meaning there is no downtime following the procedure.
MRI brain scans can be performed to diagnose a range of conditions and identify key symptoms from an early state. Typically, these scans are used for the following issues:
These are just the common uses of the technology when scanning the brain, there are even more niche uses that can be used to diagnose rare conditions as well.
The beauty of MRI imaging is that it gives the most detailed view of the brain possible. The technology really allows medical professionals to understand and assess the physical structure of the brain. This offers more detail and information than other imaging methods, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis by the doctor.
Consequently, an MRI brain scan will commonly be used in the early diagnosis of many of the conditions listed above. The clarity and detail in the images of the skull and brain let doctors pick up on small abnormalities that won’t be visible via a traditional x-ray or CT scan. Therefore, it is the most reliable method when early diagnosis is essential, especially for major health concerns, such as brain tumours.
An MRI brain scan will include an injection of gadolinium contrast material into the patient. This is necessary to help create the images on the computer screen. All scans use a contrast material, but this one is better than what you see via other methods.
Both x-rays and CT scans will use iodine-based contrast materials, which pose a significant problem. Many individuals can have allergic reactions to iodine-based contrast material, leading to an increased risk of side effects during or after the scan. With a brain scan MRI, the chances of allergic reactions are significantly reduced, thanks to the different contrast material in play.
One of the major uses of an MRI brain scan is to detect stroke at a very early stage. The technology is able to track the motion of water molecules in brain tissues. This is known as diffusion, and most strokes will stop it from happening. When a stroke is about to happen, diffusion is impaired, which often leads to the common symptoms you associate with stroke.
By using an MRI, this abnormality can be detected before stroke symptoms present themselves. Thus, it is possible to catch a stroke as early as conceivably possible, increasing the likelihood of survival and leading to better treatment of this condition.
Overall, the benefits of MRI brain scans are diverse. This method of internal imaging can produce the clearest pictures of the brain for medical professionals to use to reach more accurate diagnoses. It’s non-invasive, uses no radiation, and poses almost no risk to the average patient when performed correctly.