Last Updated on January 7, 2025 by Analgesia team
MRI Scan
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It’s a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses radio waves and a strong magnet to create detailed 3D images of the inside of the body.
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- Brain and spinal cord
- Heart and blood vessels
- Bones, joints, and other soft tissues
- Organs in the pelvis and abdomen
- Breast
MRI is better at telling the difference between types of soft tissues and between normal and abnormal soft tissues
Types Of MRI
MRI is better at telling the difference between types of soft tissues and between normal and abnormal soft tissues.
There are several types of MRI scans, including:
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA): Used to evaluate blood vessels and blood flow, MRA can help identify blockages or narrowing in the blood vessels, or the cause of a stroke.
- Magnetic resonance venography (MRV): Similar to MRA, but used to image veins instead of arteries. MRV uses a combination of a large magnet, radiofrequency, and contrast dye to make the veins visible.
- Breast MRI: Used to screen for breast cancer in high-risk individuals, and to detect changes in breast cancer lesions.
- Bones and joints MRI: Used to check for joint issues, bone infections, spinal disc problems, and tumors in the bones and soft tissues.
- Internal organs MRI: Used to check for tumors in the organs, including the kidney, pancreas, uterus, and ovaries.
- Functional MRI (fMRI): A type of MRI scan.
- Cardiac MRI: A type of MRI scan.
MRI VS MRCP
The main difference between an MRI and an MRCP is that an MRCP is a specific type of MRI that focuses on the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas:
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MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging uses radio waves and magnetism to create detailed pictures of the body’s soft tissues. MRIs are noninvasive and don’t use radiation.
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Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a type of MRI that uses an IV dye and computer software to produce detailed images of the pancreatic and bile duct systems. MRCPs are used to diagnose conditions like gallstones, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and bile duct problems.
MRI scans are a vital tool in medical diagnostics because they can produce detailed images of soft tissues, are safe, and have high spatial resolution. However, MRI scans can be sensitive to movement and have longer scan times.