All About MRI Scans

Nowadays, most of the population is touched by various kinds of health issues because of a hectic schedule, physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. The doctor prescribes various pathology tests and imaging tests to diagnose the cause of the conditions in order to provide treatment based on your health conditions. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is one of the most commonly used diagnostic tests. When a doctor prescribes diagnostic tests such as an MRI, so many questions come into your mind at that time. I understand your curiosity to know about the MRI scan. That’s the reason I thought to write about an MRI scan.

In this article, you will get an answer to all of the questions that strike your mind.

Summary: -

• About an MRI scan,

• What is the purpose of prescribing an MRI scan?

• What are the precautions for an MRI scan?

• How does an MRI scan perform?

• How much time does an MRI scan take?

• What are the side effects of an MRI scan?

• What is the cost of an MRI scan?

• What are the benefits of choosing the best diagnostic center?

About an MRI scan

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging technique that is used for a thorough examination of soft tissues, bones, and organs. It uses radio waves, magnetic fields, and computer systems to obtain an accurate picture of the organs and tissues to diagnose several kinds of health issues. Because it doesn’t use any kind of harmful radiation, it is recognised as the best and safest imaging method. It is usually recommended in various cases related to the brain, spinal cord, heart, internal organs, joints, bones, etc. The body organs that can be scanned using MRI include the brain, spinal cord, abdomen, bones, joints, heart, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, pancreas, breast, etc.

What is the purpose of prescribing an MRI scan?

There are various purposes or conditions for which doctors prescribe MRI scans to patients.

In this section, we will go over some of the reasons for ordering an MRI scan.

• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain tumours
• Breast cancer
• Bone and joint diseases
• Head traumas
• Blood vessel problems
• Cysts and tumours in different body parts
• Suspected uterine anomalies
• Heart-related problems
• Strokes

What are the precautions for an MRI scan?

MRI scans are generally a painless and safe imaging methodology. Even so, you need to follow the safety precautions to avoid any kind of negative outcome.

• You may ask for a fast of 6–8 hours before an MRI scan.
• Tell your doctor or technologists if you have metallic implants, metallic joints, or any other metallic device before having an MRI. These kinds of things can alter the result.
• You must take off all kinds of jewellery and metallic objects, even zippered garments, before an MRI scan to avoid any kind of interruption due to metallic accessories.
• Tell your doctor or tattoo technician if you have a permanent tattoo on your body because, to design a tattoo, the experts use ink that contains metallic particles. So, after interacting with a strong magnet inside the scanner, it may cause a burning sensation and swell the specific area.
• Tell your doctor or technologists before the MRI scan if you are claustrophobic because, for the scanning procedure, you need to lie immobile during the scan in the tunnel-shaped machine. Sometimes a patient experiences a significant level of anxiety. In those cases, doctors find alternate solutions.
• Tell your doctor or technologists if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Inform the technologist immediately if you feel anxious during the procedure.

How does an MRI scan perform?

• Firstly, you will lie still on a flat table attached to the MRI scanning machine.
• The technologist will remain in another room during the procedure to operate the scanner and communicate with you via an intercom.
• The technologist will slide the table you are lying on inside the scanner.
• Once you are in the scanner, the MRI technologist will communicate with you to give you instructions and make sure that you are comfortable.
• During the scan, the technologist will instruct you to remain immobile because any movement can disrupt the images.
• If you feel discomfort or anxiety during the scan, immediately inform the technologist via intercom.
• Once the required images are produced, the technologist will stop the MRI scanner and slide your table out of the scanner.

How much time does an MRI scan take?

It takes around 30 to 45 minutes to complete the process, depending on the body part. But if the contrast dye is given to the patient for the scanning procedure, then it may take 60 to 90 minutes to complete the whole procedure.

What are the side effects of an MRI scan?

The side effects of having an MRI scan are rare, but in the case of an MRI with contrast or an MRI angiography, due to the involvement of the contrast dye, you may experience various kinds of side effects, such as an allergic reaction, headache, vomiting, nausea, etc.

What is the cost of an MRI scan?

The cost of an MRI scan in any city in India is determined by a variety of factors, including the type of scanning equipment used, whether it is 1.5 Tesla or 3.0 Tesla, the area being scanned, whether it is the brain, spine, heart, internal organs, joints, and bones, etc., and whether it is a regular MRI scan or contrast media is used. On average, the price of an MRI scan is between INR 7,000 and INR 10,000.

What are the benefits of choosing the best diagnostic center?

There are several benefits to choosing the best diagnostic center. Mentioned below are some of the benefits:

• The main benefit of the best diagnostic centre is that it is dedicated to performing the MRI scan in a sophisticated way under the guidance of experts and experienced radiologists.
• The diagnostic centre will be highly equipped with advanced technology and state-of-the-art techniques, and a dedicated team of certified professionals will perform the scanning procedure. Every diagnostic technology will be from a well-known manufacturer to ensure reliable and precise results.
• You will get a variety of pathology and imaging tests at a reasonable cost.

Final Thought

MRI is an advanced imaging technique that enables your doctors to look inside the body of a patient in a non-invasive way to detect and diagnose a variety of medical issues. Compared to other imaging approaches, this one gives a lot of information that helps doctors take action against acute as well as life-threatening illnesses at the earliest and most treatable stages. With the help of an MRI scan, it is possible to diagnose and detect various kinds of abnormalities related to the brain and neurological system, bones and joints, soft tissues, the liver, kidney, bladder, pancreas, reproductive organs, etc.