When is the mri scanner used and to see what?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. It is often used to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions, including:
* Brain and spinal cord disorders: MRI can reveal tumors, strokes, bleeding, inflammation, and other abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord.
* Heart and vascular problems: MRI can show the structure and function of the heart, blood vessels, and valves. It can also be used to detect and monitor conditions such as coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysms, and deep vein thrombosis.
* Musculoskeletal injuries: MRI can diagnose injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It can also be used to detect joint abnormalities, such as arthritis.
* Abdominal and pelvic problems: MRI can reveal tumors, cysts, and other abnormalities of the abdominal and pelvic organs, including the liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, and intestines.
* Cancer: MRI can be used to detect and monitor cancer tumors throughout the body.
MRI is a safe and painless procedure that does not involve any radiation. It is also relatively quick, with most scans taking between 15 and 30 minutes.
Here is a more detailed explanation of how MRI works:
* MRI scanners create a strong magnetic field around the body. This magnetic field aligns the protons (tiny particles with a positive electrical charge) in the body's tissues.
* Radio waves are then pulsed through the body. These radio waves cause the protons to flip their spins.
* When the radio waves are turned off, the protons realign with the magnetic field, releasing energy in the form of radio waves.
* The MRI scanner detects the radio waves released by the protons and uses them to create a detailed image of the body.
The strength of the magnetic field and the frequency of the radio waves used in MRI determine the quality and resolution of the images. Higher magnetic field strengths and higher radio wave frequencies produce better images, but they also take longer to acquire.