Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical diagnostic machine that uses large magnet and radio frequency to view inside the body. MRI is a painless procedure that allows your doctor to view certain types of tissue and can provide very important information about the brain, spine, joints and internal organs . In addition, it allows your physician to early detect disease or injuries, and start treatment as soon as possible.
How does MRI work?
Your body is composed of atoms. Water or hydrogen atoms make up 95% of the human body. Usually the hydrogen atoms within the body spin at random. When you have an MRI, you are placed in a strong magnetic field that is up to 8,000 times stronger than that of the earth, which causes these atoms to realign and spin all in the same direction in all 3 planes of the body. Energy is released from the body, this energy is then used to obtain detailed images. A computer processes these images to produce detailed pictures of the anatomy.
Can anyone have an MRI?
Because some metals interfere with the function of the MRI equipment, certain patients are not able to have an MRI exam. The following equipment or conditions may create problems with an MRI. Please call with concerns about any of the following metals in your body.
• A pacemaker or pacing wires
• Metal fragments in one or both eyes
• Inner ear implants
• Cerebral aneurysm clips
• Implanted neuro stimulator
• Tens unit
• Orthopaedic Implants
• Medication and Nicotine patches will need to be removed
• Old gunshot wounds