Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive technique that uses radio waves and magnetic fields to produce detailed internal images of the human body.
Principles
- The patient lies inside a large, tube-shaped MRI scanner
- The scanner sends radio waves that knock the nuclei of atoms in the body out of place
- As the nuclei realign, they send out radio signals
- A computer analyses the signals to create a 2-D / 3-D image
Applications
- Diagnosing conditions like tumours, infections, and inflammatory conditions
- Monitoring treatment for conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Evaluating the heart and blood vessels
- Assessing a foetus in a pregnant person
Benefits
- MRI scans are noninvasive and don’t use ionising radiation like X-rays
- MRI scans are painless, but it can be uncomfortable for patient to remain still
Risks
- Gadolinium, a common contrast dye used in MRIs, can cause organ and skin damage in people with kidney problems
- The strong magnetic fields can cause heart pacemakers and other implants to malfunction
- The magnets can cause metal inside the body to move
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