Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan

Having an MRI can be intimidating for people, especially anyone who suffers from claustrophobia. Mary Greeley Medical Center has addressed this concern with an MRI that has a larger opening, providing more space and comfort for patients. Our MRI also has enhanced capabilities. It creates more precise images with greater details, which gives your doctor the information needed to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

Commonly referred to as MRI, magnetic resonance imaging relies on a magnetic field and radio wave energy to create pictures of organs and other structures inside the body. An MRI produces pictures so precise that physicians often get as much information from this technology as they would from looking directly at tissue. A large machine passes over the body, capturing images inside bone and tissue, for a non-invasive, painless exam. Unlike a CT scan, an MRI is able to show views of soft tissue, such as arteries, nerves, tendons and some tumors that often do not appear on a conventional x-ray.

Since the MRI sees through bone and soft tissue, it is especially valuable in helping to diagnose brain and nervous disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, tumors, certain spinal conditions, abnormal fluid in the skull, stroke and traumatic injuries. Some forms of cancer, and diseases affecting tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone marrow can also be detected with an MRI.

Why is an MRI Used?

The MRI at Mary Greeley Medical Center can be used on the entire body and for many reasons, including:

The head for tumors, an aneurysm, bleeding in the brain, nerve injury, and other problems, such as damage caused by a stroke.
The eyes optic nerves, and the ears and auditory nerves
The chest, including heart, the valves, coronary blood vessels, lungs, including breast cancer
Breast, in addition to breast MRIs, technologists and radiologists can work side-by-side to perform MRI-guided breast biopsies
Blood vessels, which is called magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), to find problems of the arteries and veins, such as an aneurysm, a blocked blood vessel, or the torn lining of a blood vessel (dissection).
Blood vessels, which is called magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), to find problems of the arteries and veins, such as an aneurysm, a blocked blood vessel, or the torn lining of a blood vessel (dissection).
Both abdomen and pelvis, including finding tumors, bleeding, infection, and blockage in the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, prostate, uterus, and ovaries, among others
Small intestine and loops of the small bowel, providing opportunities to find disorders like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis without the need for radiation
Bones and joints, such as arthritis, problems with the temporomandibular joint, bone marrow problems, bone tumors, cartilage problems, torn ligaments or tendons, breaks, or infection
The spine to check the discs and nerves for conditions such as spinal stenosis, disc bulges, and spinal tumors