MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging or (MRI) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that generates detailed images of nearly all internal structures in the human body, including organs, bones, muscles, and blood vessels. It utilizes a large magnet and radio waves to create these images.

MRI is a technique that employs a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to produce intricate images of the body's organs and tissues.

Typically, MRI machines are sizable, cylindrical magnets. Lying inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field interacts with radio waves and the hydrogen atoms in your body to generate cross-sectional images, akin to slices in a loaf of bread.

Additionally, MRI machines can create 3D images viewable from various angles.

Purpose of MRI

MRI serves as a noninvasive method for healthcare professionals to assess your organs, tissues, and skeletal system. It yields high-resolution images that aid in diagnosing diverse conditions.

Brain and Spinal Cord MRI

MRI is the preferred imaging test for the brain and spinal cord, commonly used to diagnose:

- Cerebral vessel aneurysms.
- Eye and inner ear conditions.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Spinal cord disorders.
- Stroke.
- Tumors.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
A distinct MRI type is the functional MRI (fMRI) of the brain, which visualizes blood flow to specific brain regions. fMRI assists in analyzing the brain's anatomy and determining which areas manage essential functions, such as language and movement, aiding in surgical planning.

fMRI can also detect damage from head injuries or conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

Heart and Blood Vessel MRI

MRIs targeting the heart or blood vessels can assess:

- The size and functionality of the heart's chambers.
- The thickness and movement of the heart's walls.

MMH offers MRI from the convenience of our mobile unit which is located directly outside of the Radiology Department. A provider's orders are required for any MRI testing.