By Christian Fenske, B.S.

So what does MRI really stand for? MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. The MRI scanner is surrounded by a magnetic field that emits radio waves toward the direction of the body tissue in question. In return, the radio waves are used to photograph the interior of the body without the harmful effects of X-rays and other types of ionizing radiation.

The MRI was developed with three purposes in mind. First, the MRI is capable of photographing two-dimensional views of internal organs and other surrounding structures. Secondly, MRI scans are used to assess responses to treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy cancer treatments. Lastly, the MRI may be used to diagnose structural damage to the bones and ligaments caused by an injury.

An MRI scan is a painless but often unpleasant experience for the patient. The procedure requires the patient to lie flat on a table located within a narrow, claustrophobic tube. Additionally, the patient must lie completely motionless while the computer scans and processes several sets of images. The complexity of the procedure may cause MRI scans to last up to 90 minutes in length.

Regardless of the time-consuming procedure, the MRI scans offer increased contrast resolutions and better visualization of internal structures compared to X-rays. Furthermore, MRI scans are more useful to physicians due to the multiplanar imaging. Such advances in technology have pioneered the MRI toward improving patient outcomes and streamlining the diagnostic process for physicians.

For additional information please contact NIFS at 317.274.3432.