A Blog for Healthcare Consumers

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. MRI scans are medical imaging tests that physicians use to discover, treat, and monitor disease. They use a strong magnetic field and radio waves to capture signal from internal organs. Computers analyze the data and create images for a physician Radiologist to interpret.

An MRI scan can be used to image nearly every part of the body. MRIs are very good at looking at the anatomy of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart, brain and spine. They are also be used by surgeons to assist in surgical planning.

The technology is relatively new, but has been quickly advancing and millions of MRI scans are done every year. Here are some commonly ordered MRI scans and the sort of disease they are tailored to look for:

• MRI Knee -- tears of the ACL and menisci
• MRI Shoulder -- injury to the tendons and ligaments supporting the shoulder (together known as the rotator cuff)
• MRI Brain -- detect Multiple Sclerosis, stroke, tumors, bleeds
• MRI Lumbar Spine -- look for disc herniation, bulges, spinal canal stenosis, nerve root impingement in the lower part of the back
• MRI Sella and Pituitary Gland -- find hormone secreting tumors
• MRI Breast -- evaluate breast cancer tumors
  

What to do before your MRI scan:

It helps to be prepared in advance of your appointment time. You will need to get a Radiology referral or prescription from your doctor. Check to make sure the facility you choose takes your insurance plan and your plan has authorized the MRI. Get preparation instructions from the facility’s staff in advance. Although you should follow your doctor’s advice, you can choose a local imaging center to perform your MRI test. Our Radiology Search tool will help you find a Radiology center and learn more about your local imaging services (if you don’t find an imaging center in your area, please let us know).

What to expect during and after your MRI scan:

• The MRI scan appointment may take up to 1 hour. Plan accordingly.
• You can’t take any metal, iPods, cell phones, etc into the scan room
• Some scan rooms pipe in music. Ask if you can bring your own CD.
• You may feel claustrophobic. If you know you are, let the imaging center staff know in advance.
• An MRI scan can be very noisy. You should ask for or be offered earplugs.
• Some MRI tests are ordered with contrast (aka dye). This requires an injection!
• You may need to take a film or CD copy of your MRI scan to your doctor.
• A physician Radiologist will interpret the MRI. A report is sent to your doctor.