When your doctor suggests an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, it’s natural to feel a mix of curiosity and concern. These scans provide detailed images that help diagnose various health issues, including cancer and internal bleeding. Remember, just because your doctor recommends an MRI doesn’t mean you have a serious problem. It’s simply a way for them to gather more information to support your health.
So, what does an MRI show?
An MRI scan is a medical imaging technique that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images, particularly effective for getting a closer look at organs and body parts, including:
- The abdomen allows for the examination of vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen.
- The brain can be evaluated for conditions and neurological disorders.
- MRI can be used as a supplemental tool in evaluating the breasts for women at high risk of breast cancer and other abnormalities.
- Scanning the chest provides crucial information for assessing the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels in the chest cavity.
- The head and neck are assessed to evaluate the risk of aneurysms, as well as eye and inner ear disorders.
- Joints, including the knees, shoulders, and hips, are scanned to check for any abnormalities.
- MRIs can help visualize lymph nodes and vessels, aiding in the diagnosis of lymphatic disorders or cancer.
- Detailed images of muscles and tendons can help diagnose injuries affecting these tissues.
- In the pelvic region, reproductive organs like the uterus and ovaries are evaluated, and the pancreas and bile ducts can also be assessed.
- Soft tissues, including fat, connective tissues, and blood vessels, are thoroughly analyzed.
- The spine is scanned for issues like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and injuries to the spinal cord.
On your MRI, your radiologist will see your nerves as they show up in white or gray and can check for any concerns. Depending on the size and placement of these spots, your doctor can figure out what is wrong and how to treat it.
MRI scans are particularly useful because they do not involve radiation and can provide critical information on how well the body is responding to ongoing treatment. By analyzing the results, doctors can make informed decisions about the patient’s care, ensuring they receive the most appropriate and effective treatment options.
What happens during an MRI?
An experienced MRI technologist will guide you to a table that slides into the MRI machine, a cylinder-shaped tube surrounded by a magnet. It’s important for you to remain still on the table throughout the study to ensure the best images are captured. On average, an MRI scan takes 15-60 minutes to complete, but the entire appointment (including check-in and consultation) can range from 1 to 2 hours.
Sometimes, a contrast dye is administered or injected to improve image clarity, helping differentiate normal from abnormal tissues, especially for identifying tumors or inflammation.
6 specific conditions an MRI scan can reveal
A doctor might order an MRI scan to obtain detailed images of soft tissues, organs, and structures within the body to diagnose a variety of conditions.
Cancer
Oncologists use MRI scans to discover whether a tumor is cancerous or benign, look for new metastases (cancerous spread), and help your doctor plan a course of treatment to fight cancer. An MRI scan can reveal whether a tumor has clear or irregular boundaries, which is usually the first step in determining whether the tumor is cancerous.
An MRI can help detect many cancers, including:
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Head and neck cancers
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma
- Prostate cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Soft tissue sarcomas
- Spinal cord tumors
- Testicular cancer
Using MRI imaging, your oncologist can detect new metastases early and prepare to fight them more quickly. MRI scans are integral to diagnosing and staging cancer, as well as monitoring the patient’s response to treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy.
Nerve damage or pain
Nerve damage commonly stems from pressure on your nerves. When combined with a neurological exam, an MRI can be a powerful tool in diagnosing conditions like nerve damage or nerve compression due to degenerative disc disease. This imaging test allows your doctor to get a clear picture of your nerves, which will appear in shades of white or gray on the MRI scan. By analyzing these images, your doctor can better understand your condition and develop an effective treatment plan just for you.
Sciatica, or pain along the sciatic nerve, can be diagnosed with an MRI scan. Pinched nerves will also show up on an MRI scan and help your radiologist pinpoint exactly where the pinched nerve is and how to treat it. Permanent nerve damage is not only painful but can limit movement and motor function. An MRI scan can discover where the lesions are before permanent nerve damage sets in. Early diagnosis is the best way to combat these issues.
Inflammation
An MRI is instrumental in detecting inflammation or infection in soft tissue and bone marrow. It helps locate the precise source of inflammation, which is key for effective treatment. For those experiencing unexplained pain or swelling, an MRI can provide valuable insights.
When reviewing MRI images, your doctor will look for:
- Large white or gray areas indicating inflammation
- Solid white areas showing inflammation fluid
It’s important to consult your doctor about stopping anti-inflammatory medications three days before your MRI to ensure accurate results, as these drugs can mask swelling and complicate diagnoses.
Muscle damage
MRI scans are effective at identifying muscle damage in organs, including the liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, uterus, ovaries, and prostate. If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, an MRI can reveal the extent of the injury and guide treatment options.
Understanding the role of MRI in diagnosing muscle damage can help you address your symptoms and take steps toward recovery.
Joint concerns
MRI scans can visualize soft tissues surrounding joints, including cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, and can reveal signs of damage. These scans are particularly effective in diagnosing joint and bone disorders, such as:
- Arthritis, including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout
- Bursitis
- Cartilage damage
- Degenerative disc disease
- Infections (septic arthritis)
- Ligament tears (ACL or MCL injuries)
- Osteonecrosis, or the decay of bone tissue when blood cannot reach the bone
- Meniscus tears
- Synovitis
An MRI scan can also identify issues leading to joint pain or limited mobility by highlighting areas of swelling or abnormality, guiding treatment options that may involve physical therapy or surgery.
Vascular conditions
An MRI can be instrumental in assessing vascular conditions, including vascular malformations or blood vessel anomalies. Vascular imaging via MRI — as well as advanced techniques like MR angiography — helps visualize blood vessels, providing essential information about blood flow and any obstructions.
Some vascular conditions that an MRI can show are:
- Aneurysms. Aneurysms are characterized by the abnormal bulging of blood vessels, which may rupture if left undetected.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A condition in which blood clots form in the deep veins, primarily in the legs, is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and poses a risk of pulmonary embolism.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Narrowing of the peripheral arteries, which limits blood flow to the limbs, is known as peripheral artery disease (PAD).
- Stenosis. Narrowing of blood vessels, known as stenosis, restricts blood flow to organs.
- Venous insufficiency. A condition known as venous insufficiency occurs when veins struggle to return blood to the heart, resulting in swelling.
Key takeaways about MRI scans
MRI scans are 90% accurate. If your doctor has recommended an MRI, they have considered all the risks and decided that the clear, detailed images outweigh them. Your results will be sent to your doctor immediately after your scan, and they will contact you about future tests or appointments required based on your results.
- MRI scans provide invaluable diagnostic insights into a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, nerve damage, and inflammation.
- They use strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images without exposing patients to radiation.
- Early detection and diagnosis through MRI can lead to more effective treatment plans and better health outcomes.
At SJRA, we prioritize your comfort and safety throughout the MRI process, providing you with the highest level of care.
Ready to schedule your exam? Call us at 1 (888) 909-7572 or schedule an appointment online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
MRIs can detect a range of conditions depending on the part of the body being studied. Some common medical conditions that can be detected include tumors, aneurysms, brain conditions, spinal cord disorders, nerve damage, inflammation or infection of soft tissues, and muscle damage. MRIs are very effective in examining soft tissues.
For diagnosis and monitoring, MRIs help determine if an abnormal growth is cancerous or benign, identify metastases (cancer spread), and assist in treatment planning. An MRI scan reveals the boundaries of the tumor and may require the use of contrast dye to check if the mass has spread to blood vessels.
Doctors might recommend you get a CT scan first because an MRI takes longer to perform. If you need results fast, your doctor may recommend a CT scan. If you get abnormal results, your doctor is likely to request a more detailed look with an MRI scan. CT scans can capture a larger portion of the body compared to MRI scans. MRI scans may take longer, but they produce more precise images and detect more diseases. MRI scans and CT scans each have pros and cons, so trust your doctor’s recommendation, but be sure to ask questions if you have them.
You can expect your doctor to reach out to you prior to your follow-up to discuss the results. If a life-threatening condition is detected, the radiologist will notify your doctor immediately following the development of the report.
SJRA has a team of board-certified, sub-specialized radiologists who read and interpret studies. Their expertise ensures accurate and thorough analysis of your imaging results. To learn more about the radiologists at SJRA, view our physicians’ profiles.
At South Jersey Radiology Associates, you can expect your doctor to reach out to you prior to your follow-up to discuss the results. You can schedule your MRI scan with SJRA here at any one of the following offices:
• Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
• Medford Office – Medford, NJ
• Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
• Mount Laurel Office – Mount Laurel, NJ
• Route 73 (Voorhees) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• Sewell (Washington Twp) Office – Sewell, NJ
• Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
• Voorhees (Carnie Blvd) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
• Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
We do our very best to streamline the appointment process so you can get in and out and back to your normal routine as soon as possible. Our team of medical professionals is ready and waiting to help start that process today.
