Facts About Your MRI

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a noninvasive scanning procedure that is utilized by doctors to represent a human body’s internal organs and tissue with high quality imaging. During the process, the patient is required to lie flat on the MRI table while he or she is imaged by high powered magnets. The magnets utilize the body’s natural magnetizing system to produce a recognizable image. The magnet produces 2D or 3D images that are comparatively much clearer than other types of imaging techniques.

COMPARING THE MRI, X-RAY, AND CAT SCAN

MRI images depict the inner body much more accurately than traditional CAT scans or X-Rays because of the technology that the MRI utilizes to distinguish between the various organs and tissue within the body cavity. X-Rays specifically are unable to distinguish organs and tissue clearly and neither CAT scans and X-Rays have the ability to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy tissue. Furthermore, both CAT scans and X-Rays require the use of potentially harmful iodizing radiation, while MRIs do not. Thus, an MRI can be had without risk of adverse side effects, which can be especially useful if the patient is required to undergo multiple scans within an abbreviated amount of time.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN AS TO THE TYPE OF SCAN TO USE, AS THE DISTINCTION MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE AREA OF THE BODY THAT YOUR PHYSICIAN IS INTERESTED IN.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If the patient has medical objects implanted in the body, please inform the MRI practitioner, as the procedure may cause metal objects to heat up and possibly malfunction. In fact, metal’s reaction to the MRI is so strong that nothing metal may be brought into the MRI room during a procedure.