What is MRI: the principle of the scanner and its diagnostic capabilities

In medicine, a large number of instrumental methods of research are used, some of which are, in fact, universal, which allows to diagnose many pathologies from different classification groups of human diseases. This is also the device MRI, which allows you to visualize the tissues of the body, not using the radiation load. However, what is an MRI and what is the structure of the apparatus, its operating principle, is known to a small number of people. But such ignorance does not prevent most patients from undergoing such diagnostic procedures.

Structure of the MR-tomograph and the principle of operation

The device for carrying out MR tomography is a large magnet. The human body is in its cavity, which is protected by a plastic casing. In this case, such a study of tissues does not lead to the onset of pathological conditions, because it does not ionize the substances that form the basis of the structure of the body. The strong magnetic field of the device acts directly on the protons. These particles are hydrogen ions, which are part of water - the most common substance in the human body.

The water content in different tissues of the human body has its differences. The smallest amount is found in the bones and connective tissue, whereas the muscular and fatty ones are characterized by a higher concentration of liquid. The cerebral tissue, as well as the parenchyma of the internal organs, is also distinguished by the same indices. At the same time, due to the difference in water content, it is possible to construct boundaries between heterogeneous fabrics in a virtual image, which is formed after the signal is applied to the computer.

However, what is an MRI, on the basis of what physical principle does this apparatus function? This type of differentiation of the structure of the human body is realized due to the mechanism of action of water molecules. They are dipoles that take a certain type of orientation in a magnetic field. The very cycle of MRI works is to create a magnetic field and conditions for ordering the arrangement of water molecules, after which a radio wave is launched along the magnetic field, leading the molecules into vibrations, which are amplified by the resulting resonance.

MRI of the head, brain examination

In the diagnosis of diseases and degenerative lesions of the brain, MRI is of great importance, because it makes it possible with a high degree of probability to determine the exact localization of the process, the volume of damage or neoplasm, to identify the vessel in which the thrombus is located. However, the main approach to conducting this study is not how to diagnose, because the basis of tomography is the formulation of the question "what?" And the answer to it. Such an MRI, made after a pre-diagnosed diagnosis, makes it possible to increase the informative value of the study, because the doctor already assumes what exactly he will be looking for. At the same time among the target pathologies, which can reveal the MR-tomography of the brain, there are tumor, traumatic, infectious diseases. Also, magnetic resonance imaging is able to diagnose complications arising during the development of the above diseases.

What is MRI of the spine?

MRI of the spine and spinal cord is a method of instrumental research that involves visualization of all anatomical formations at a certain level. Modern devices allow you to conduct various virtual sections of individual parts of the body. This makes it possible to evaluate the anatomical structure of the vertebral canal, the intervertebral openings at various sites. The study also includes the spinal cord, because such an MRI allows you to see its structure, because the inductance of the magnetic field in the coil of the device is about 1.5 Tesla. The use of tomography helps to determine the presence of tumor formations in the brain envelopes or in its tissues with the corresponding symptoms.