What does the MRI of the head show? Magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging is one of the most advanced and effective methods of diagnosing brain diseases, especially neurological origin. The method of MRI consists of examining some layers of the brain, as well as the detection of abnormalities in its structure. Traditional x-ray does not let you see what the MRI of the head shows.

What is the installation

A typical device for performing tomography looks like a huge cylindrical tube surrounded by a magnet. The patient lies on a moving study table sliding inside the magnet. Certain tomographs (designs with a small tunnel) are made in the order in which the magnet covers the patient's desk not in full.

There is an MRI device that is open on the side. Such a system is especially good for examining complete people and those who are afraid of enclosed spaces. Current installed magnetic resonance tomographs make it possible to make excellent shots at different surveys. However, if an outdated magnet is used in a simple model, the visibility can be reduced. There are studies that can not be conducted on an open device.

Manifestations for performing tomography

Indications for the implementation of MRI of the vessels of the head may be:

• Chronic headaches;
• Craniocerebral trauma;
• Often appearing dizziness;
• Seizures similar to epileptic;
• Disorders of the health of the vascular system;
• stroke;
• Turbidity and loss of consciousness;
• Analyzes confirming the presence of formations;
• Increased or decreased pressure.

With the above symptoms, MRI should be done sooner. The tumor of the brain, which can arise as a result of ill-treatment to the doctor, is far from being a joke. If the tomography indicates no complications in the head, then it is necessary to look for the cause in other places.

What are the directions of MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging is used to determine certain diseases and conditions, such as:

• Detection of the origin of headaches;
• Diseases of the inner ear and eyes;
• stroke;
• Malfunctions and vascular pathologies of the brain (eg, aneurysms);
• Malaise of the pituitary gland;
• Injuries;
• Certain systematic diseases of the nervous system (multiple sclerosis);
• A tumor of the brain.

How to prepare for the procedure

Special training is required only when examining the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs. Three days before the examination, you will need to comply with a carbohydrate diet, and a day - take light foods, and do not drink strong tea and coffee so that the doctor can determine what the MRI of the patient's head shows. The patient is still not allowed to consume water and food 5 hours before the event.

Preparation for anesthesia under general anesthesia

In this situation, there are also certain training rules, namely:

• Always consult with a therapist;
• To pass the necessary tests;
• Drink allowed no more than 1 glass 2 hours before the examination;
• Food can be taken 9 hours before the test;
• If the patient wears contact lenses, he should inform the anesthesiologist about it;
• Do not clean the skin with care products, in particular do not apply cosmetics;
• To leave in the next room all extractable metal accessories (including jewelry, false teeth).

How the survey is performed

How to make an MRI of the brain and how is it done? Now we will discuss this in more detail. Tomography can be performed both in the order of hospitalization of the patient, and outpatient method. An assistant radiologist puts the patient on a moving table, the position of his body is fixed by means of additional rollers and belts that contribute to his calm position. In the circumference of the body area being surveyed, there are modules with wires that receive and send radio waves. With MRI of the brain, the units are placed near the head.

If there is a need to apply a contrast agent during the examination, then the nurse can insert a catheter into the vein on the arm. A bottle with saline solution can be connected to the tube, which provides a uniform washing system. This eliminates its clogging until the contrast material is applied. At the end of all the preparatory manipulations, the patient's table is transferred to the inside of the magnet, where the MRI device is located. The radiologist and the secondary medical staff come out of the treatment room during the examination .

After the end of the study, the doctor sends the patient to the corridor to wait for the result to be completed, since an additional series of images may be needed.

The procedure of tomography, as a rule, consists of the production of successive mappings. Each of them takes a few minutes. And the event itself usually lasts about 45 minutes.

In addition to MRI of the brain (reviews on it can be heard only good), magnetic resonance spectroscopy is also performed, which makes it possible to evaluate biochemical actions within cells. Such an examination takes an additional 15 minutes.

Advantages of magnetic resonance imaging

MRI has several advantages.

1. Tomography is a non-aggressive way of visualization, which is not related to the effect of ionizing radiation.
2. MRI provides an opportunity to identify abnormalities that are invisible due to the bone in other imaging methods.
3. Magnetic resonance images of the brain, as well as other parts of the head, are more detailed and expressive than with other systems. This side makes tomography a valuable tool in the initial diagnosis, detection of various diseases, as well as tumors.
4. The contrast medium used in the survey in order to see what the MRI of the head shows, provokes less allergic effects than the iodine-based contrast material used for standard X-rays.
5. Magnetic resonance imaging can determine the stroke at the very first stage, showing the movement of microparticles of water in the tissues. This movement of water, called diffusion, is destroyed by most strokes.
6. MRI helps physicians monitor the state of the structural departments of the brain.
7. One version, called magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), provides a thorough visualization of the blood vessels in the brain, often even without a contrast agent.
8. MRI of the head, whose price for today is from 3500 rubles. Up to 5000 rubles., Is a predominantly indisputable tool for determining brain tumors.

What risks can there be?

1. If anesthesia is used, there is a possibility of excessive sedation. The technologist or nurse is watching vital functions to minimize this possibility.
2. The procedure of MRI is almost harmless for the average patient, if you follow the safety rules.
3. There is a very small risk of allergic effects if contrasting matter is introduced. These reactions, as a rule, are little manifested and without problems are checked with the help of medicines. And while the results of MRI of the brain are clearly visible.
4. Currently, a side effect of tomography is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. However, this does not happen often, and such a problem is revealed as a result of the introduction of a huge dose of contrast medium and gadolinium to patients with very poor kidney function.
5. Despite the fact that a powerful magnetic field is not harmful, implanted medical devices that contain metal can provoke a breakdown or create inconveniences during the MRI period.

Who can take the procedure

Magnetic resonance imaging does not do any harm to a person if the safety measures are observed. Patients who have heart surgery or patients with certain medical settings can easily go through the procedure and find out what the MRI of the head and other organs shows. Acceptable devices:

• Heart valve (exception - cage or metal ball);
• Surgical sutures or clamps;
• Hollow filter veins;
• Artificial joints;
• Shunted tubes for hydrocephalus;
• Staples;
• Disconnected medical pumps.

Contraindications

Under certain requirements, MRI will only be harmful if there are:

• Auditory implants;
• Pacemaker;
• Metal things in the eyes;
• Excess weight is more than 140 kg;
• Severe lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, tracheomalacia);
• pregnancy;
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease;
• Transplanted insulin pumps (for diabetes therapy);
• A cerebral aneurysm clip (a steel clip on a blood vessel in the head);
• claustrophobia;
• Implanted bar for hardening of the spine.

If the child carries an MRI of the head (the price of such a procedure will depend on the location of the procedure, but on average it is from 2500 rubles), it is necessary to consult the technologist of the tomography in advance. Because it is very difficult for children to survive without movements for a long period. In this situation, a sedative drug is used - sleeping pills, sedatives or anesthesia. Also, parents, if necessary, are allowed to be with a child in the MRI office during the examination.