Author: McLaren Flint
Sometimes when we visit a physician looking for a diagnosis, they may need more than a physical exam and blood work to find the answer. This is when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be helpful for your doctor to better understand your condition. By providing detailed images, an MRI can give your physician more information to help diagnose you and plan the best course of treatment.
MRI is a type of scan that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. An MRI can produce detailed images of almost every internal structure in our bodies. It can show soft tissue, blood vessels, bones, tumors, and inflammation more clearly than regular X-rays or CT scans.
“An MRI can pick up on some strokes better than a CT scan,” said Linda Lawrence, MD, board-certified radiologist and medical director at the McLaren Flint Imaging Center. “This type of imaging is more advanced at detecting soft tissue abnormalities. For example, it can show detailed spinal cord lesions for diagnosing possible multiple sclerosis, determine the age of compression fractures in the spine, whether tumors are benign or malignant, and assess structures in the brain.”
Along with other imaging, an MRI can also be helpful in detecting breast cancer.
“An MRI is an additional useful tool for the detection of breast cancer to be used in conjunction with mammography and ultrasound for early detection of breast cancer,” said Dr. Lawrence.
Before an MRI, your technician will ask you questions that will prepare them for your scan. You should wear comfortable clothing, and you may be asked to change into a gown to get the best images possible.
“When someone has an MRI, they lie on a table and go into a scanner for usually around 15 to 30 minutes,” said Dr. Lawrence. “They may be given contrast intravenously to make tissue appear brighter for better visibility of certain structures.”
There will be some buzzing noises during the scan, which are produced by metal coils within the magnetic field. These noises are normal and should be expected. You will be given earplugs or headphones to wear during the scan to lessen the noise. The MRI tech will talk to you through a microphone built into the scanner for each scan they perform so you know what to expect, including how long each one will take.
Once the painless scan is done, you will change back into your clothes, if you were given a gown, and you can go on with your day.
Your MRI exam will be interpreted by a radiologist, a doctor specializing in using medical imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. Under normal circumstances, the reports are available electronically to the ordering physician within 24 hours. Your referring physician will talk with you about your results.
McLaren Flint – MRI offers access to state-of-the-art imaging, supported by highly experienced, board-certified radiologists and dedicated and highly-trained staff. McLaren has the most advanced MRI system in the area - the Discovery MR750 3.0T by GE Healthcare. That means significantly enhanced imaging performance which can lead to improved diagnosis and better patient care.
The system, equipped with a 3.0 Tesla magnet, allows for a faster, easier, and more comfortable MRI experience. The technology is currently the gold standard in orthopedic and neuroimaging. With 3T MRI, a scan with three-dimensional imaging can be done in less than 30 minutes, versus an hour to an hour and a half on conventional systems. The equipment also detects more signals from tissue and organs, resulting in sharper, clearer images.
McLaren Flint also offers a suite of other imaging services including 3-D mammography, CT imaging, ultrasound, bone density, and X-ray.
To learn more about McLaren Flint MRI and Imaging, click here. To learn about imaging services, including MRI, offered at McLaren Fenton, click here. Same-day appointments are available for some services at all three locations.