MRI
MRI CT
• Doesn’t use . • Uses Radiation.
• MRI is ideal for diagnosis of • It is ideal for any type of skeletal
conditions in tissues or injuries. If there are bone injuries
ligaments.Any type of soft injury in the head, spine or chest then
in the brain including tumor and CT scan is the best way to
in the spine would be better identify the problems.
spotted using an MRI.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• It is a diagnostic test that can be used to find or evaluate various parts
of the anatomy.
• Allows the clinician to see high quality images of the inside of the
body:
Brain
Heart
Lungs
Spine
Knees
Wrist etc.,
• MRI machine looks like a large block with a tube running through the
middle of the machine, called the bore of the magnet.
• The bore is where the patient is located for the duration of the scan.
MRI Components
• Superconducting magnet
• Gradient Magnets
• Coils
• Computer System
• Patient Table
Superconducting magnet
• They are large magnets that takes most of the space in the MRI
machine.
• It creates a powerful magnetic field.
• Strength of a superconducting magnetic field is 5000-20000 gauss.
Gradient magnet
• There are also three gradient magnets inside the MRI machine used to
create a variable magnetic field ,which allows different parts of the
body to be scanned.
• These magnets are much lower strength compared to the main
magnetic field; they may range in strength from 180 gauss to 270
gauss.
Coils
• Another part of the MRI system is a set of coils that transmit
radiofrequency waves into the patients body.
• There are different coils for different body parts.
• Computer system generates images from the data collected during the
scan.
• Patient table, where patient lie during the scan .
• It slides the patient into the bore.
MRI scanning steps
• Patient reclines on the table and is moved into MRI machine.
• Patient is moved into active magnetic field.
• Hydrogen atom within patient’s body align in response to magnetic
field.
• Radiofrequency pulse is directed through coils into body part being
scanned.
• Radiofrequency causes protons in certain hydrogen atoms to spin at a
specific frequency.
• Gradient magnets alter the magnetic field, allowing the machine to
scan very precise sections of the body.
• Radiofrequency pulse is turned off, causing hydrogen protons to
release absorbed energy.
• Coils detect the energy released and sends the data to the computer
which generates MRI images.
Application of MRI
• MRI’s of the heart can be done to ,look at many different areas
including :vessels chambers and valves.
• The MRI can detect problems associated with different heart diseases
and other blockages in blood vessels due to coronary artery disease or
heart attacks.
• MRI’s of the brain can evaluate how the brain is working, whether
normal or abnormal and can also show damage resulting from
different problems such as stroke, abnormalities associated with
dementia and Alzheimer’s, seizures and tumors.
• MRI’s can be done on the knee to evaluate damage to ligaments and
tendons.
