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MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. MRIs are very good at analyzing the anatomy of your internal organs. You can read more about MRI here.

MRA stands for Magnetic Resonance Angiography. This type of MRI test highlights and evaluates the arteries in your body. It can examine arteries in your brain (aka the "circle of willis" or "COW"), your neck ("carotids"), your chest and abdomen ("aorta") among others. MRA is typically used to detect:

• Aneurysms -- these are "outpouchings" of vessels that can rupture.
  
• Atherosclerosis -- plaque formation and narrowing of arteries.
• Dissection -- internal "tear" of a major artery.
• Vasculitis -- inflammation of the arteries.
• Congential malformations -- examples include AVM, hemangioma and duplicated vessels.
• Pre operative planning -- for placement of stents or treating anueyrsms and AVMs.

In some cases your doctor will order both an MRI and MRA. For example, Neurologists who are treating patients with migraines may order these together to evaluate the brain and the vessels of the brain to look for tumors, vasculitis and aneurysms.

MRA is done very much like MRI. You're placed on the MRI table. The technologist places a receiving coil around the body part in which the vessels are located. The table is advanced into the MRI machine and the exam is done. MRA tests take less time than MRIs, though can vary depending on the vessel(s) being evaluated.

If you're looking for an MRA test you can use our site here to look up local facilities and MRA scan costs.

Do you have any tips for people who are going to have an MRA? Leave your comments below.