Dual Inversion Recovery

Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MRI) is a vital tool for the assessment of brain and bodily function. MRIs send a strong magnetic field and radio waves through the body to create a picture of its components. Standard MRIs cannot fully assess every element of brain and body function. Specialized MRI techniques, such as dual inversion recovery, allow radiologists to look deeper at the brain and body's infrastructure. Dual Inversion Recovery, or Double Inversion Recovery, is a specialized MRI that relies on two inversion echo-pulses, along with the traditional magnetic and radio components of standard MRIs. This improves image contrast and can diagnose maladies that a traditional MRI may not detect.

Things You'll Need

• MRI machine with dual inversion recovery

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Instructions

Attain the Most Accurate Image

• 1

  Instruct the patient to perform at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise prior to imaging. Dual Inversion Recovery (DIR) can provide more accurate images than standard MRIs, if instructions are followed carefully. If the patient exercises prior to imaging, it increase his blood flow. Slow blood flow has led to imprecise images. If the patient can increase his heart rate and escalate his blood flow, he attains optimal image quality.

• 2

  DIR Radiologists can locate finer images between the wall and the lumen of the cardiac chamber.

  Instruct the patient to hold his breath during imaging. Fluctuations in breath can distort the diagnostic images. The patient should completely exhale his breath and remain at a steady-state -- avoiding inhalation -- for 30 seconds, while the images are taken. The DIR machine is far more sensitive than an ordinary MRI. Total stillness of breath is vital to achieve the best results.

• 3

  Keep the body still during DIR imaging. Any movement during the imaging process can result in an inaccurate picture. A second expensive DIR may be requested in this scenario. A helpful technique is to instruct the patient to engage in 5 minutes of progressive relaxation and slow breathing exercises to calm the nerves and muscles. This help achieve a still body and a vivid image.

• 4

  A still body is critical for high-contrast images.

  Instruct the patient to take a deep breath and hold after exhalation before taking the first image. The patient should lie in a supine position during the image. Follow this image with three more sequential images. Ask the patient to lie on his left side and repeat this process. To conclude the imaging, have the patient roll onto his right side and repeat the process. A series of well-defined images should result.