What is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)?
MRI is a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to construct pictures of the body. MRI imaging is based on the magnetic properties of atoms. A powerful magnet generates a magnetic field roughly 10,000 times stronger than the natural background magnetism from the earth. A very small percentage of hydrogen atoms within a human body will align with this field. When focused radio wave pulses are broadcast towards the aligned hydrogen atoms in tissues of interest, they will return a signal. The subtle differences in that signal from various body tissues enables MRI to differentiate organs, and potentially contrast benign and malignant tissue. Any imaging plane (or “slice”) can be projected, stored in a computer, or printed on film. MRI can easily be performed through clothing and bones. However, certain types of metal in the area of interest can cause significant errors in the reconstructed images. How is the Procedure Performed? Since MRI makes use of radio waves
MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a relatively new technology that is revolutionizing several fields. This method of scanning was developed primarily for use in medicine but it has also been used to study fossils and historical artefacts. Early doctors were only able to gather data about a patient through observation and rudimentary tests. X-Rays provided doctors with one of the first ways of peering within a living person. The MRI is one of the exciting successors to the X-Ray. To perform a MRI scan, the patient is securely placed on an imaging table within a large MRI scanner. Powerful magnetic fields are administered to align the nuclei within the atoms of the patient’s body. Next, radio frequency pulses are applied; finally, the nuclei release some of the radio frequency energy and these emissions are detected by the MRI equipment. With this data, a computer generates a surprisingly detailed view of tissues within the body. Earlier imaging technologies, such as X-rays, were able
