A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not use radiation (x-rays).

Single MRI images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces dozens or sometimes hundreds of images.

Different types of MRI include:

Abdominal MRI
Cervical MRI
Chest MRI
Cranial MRI
Heart MRI
Lumbar MRI
Pelvic MRI
MRA (MR Angiography)
MRV (MR Venography)

How the Test is Performed

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without zippers or snaps (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images.

You will lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-shaped scanner.

Some exams require a special dye (contrast). Most of the time, the dye will be given through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm before the test. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.

Small devices, called coils, may be placed around the head, arm, or leg, or around other areas to be studied. These help send and receive the radio waves, and improve the quality of the images.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious, or your provider may suggest an open MRI, in which the machine is not as close to the body.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Artificial heart valves
Brain aneurysm clips
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner:

Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. If you have difficulty lying still or are very nervous, you may be given a medicine to relax you. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can request a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones that you can use to help the time pass.

There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can resume your normal diet, activity, and medicines.

Why the Test is Performed

Having MRIs with other imaging methods can often help your provider make a diagnosis.

MRI images taken after a special dye (contrast) is delivered into your body may provide extra information about the blood vessels.

A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) , is a form of magnetic resonance imaging that creates 3-dimensional pictures of blood vessels. It is often used when traditional angiography cannot be done.

Normal Results

A normal result means the body area being studied looks normal.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Results depend on the part of the body being examined and the nature of the problem. Different types of tissues send back different MRI signals. For example, healthy tissue sends back a slightly different signal than cancerous tissue. Consult your provider with any questions and concerns.

Risks

MRI does not use ionizing radiation. No side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions rarely occur. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems who are on dialysis. Tell your provider before the test if you have kidney problems.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants not to work as well. The magnets can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift.

Abdominal MRI scan

Nuclear magnetic resonance – abdomen; NMR – abdomen; Magnetic resonance imaging – abdomen; MRI of the abdomen

An abdominal magnetic resonance imaging scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The waves create pictures of the inside of the belly area. It does not use radiation (x-rays).

Single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces dozens or sometimes hundreds of images.

How the Test is Performed

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal zippers or snaps (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images.

You will lie on a narrow table. The table slides into a large tunnel-shaped scanner.

Some exams require a special dye (contrast). Most of the time, the dye is given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, but it may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your provider may also suggest an open MRI, in which the machine is not as close to your body.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Artificial heart valves
Brain aneurysm clips
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner. Avoid carrying items such as:

Pocketknives, pens, and eyeglasses
Watches, credit cards, jewelry, and hearing aids
Hairpins, metal zippers, pins, and similar items
Removable dental implants

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. You may get medicine to relax you if you have a problem lying still or are very nervous. Moving too much can blur MRI images and cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine makes loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones to help you pass time.

There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to help you relax. After an MRI scan, you can go back to your normal diet, activity, and medicines.

Why the Test is Performed

An abdominal MRI provides detailed pictures of the belly area from many views. It is often used to clarify findings from earlier x-rays or CT scans.

This test may be used to look at:

Blood flow in the abdomen
Blood vessels in the abdomen
The cause of abdominal pain or swelling
The cause of abnormal blood test results, such as liver or kidney problems
Lymph nodes in the abdomen
Masses in the liver, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, or spleen

MRI can distinguish tumors from normal tissues. This can help the doctor know more about the tumor such as size, severity, and spread. This is called staging.

In some cases it can give better information about masses in the abdomen than CT.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal result may be due to:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Abscess
Cancer or tumors that involves the adrenal glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas , kidneys, ureters, intestines
Enlarged spleen or liver
Gallbladder or bile duct problems
Hemangiomas
Hydronephrosis (kidney swelling from the backflow of urine)
Kidney infection
Kidney damage or diseases
Kidney stones
Enlarged lymph nodes
Obstructed vena cava
Portal vein obstruction (liver)
Blockage or narrowing of the arteries that supply the kidneys
Renal vein thrombosis
Kidney or liver transplant rejection
Cirrhosis of the liver
Spread of cancers that began outside the belly

Risks

MRI does not use ionizing radiation. No side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions are rare but can occur. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to other medicines you should notify your doctor. In addition, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems who need dialysis. Tell your provider before the test if you have kidney problems.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants not to work as well. The magnets can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift.

Leg MRI scan

MRI – lower extremity; Magnetic resonance imaging – leg; Magnetic resonance imaging – lower extremity; MRI – ankle; Magnetic resonance imaging – ankle; MRI – femur; MRI – leg

A leg MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the leg uses strong magnets to create pictures of the leg. This may include the ankle, foot, and surrounding tissues.

A leg MRI also creates pictures of the knee.

MRI does not use radiation (x-rays).

Single MRI images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces many images.

How the Test is Performed

You will be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothes without metal zippers or snaps (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Make sure you take off your watch, jewelry and wallet. Some types of metal can cause blurry images.

You will lie on a narrow table that slides into a tunnel-like scanner.

Some exams use a special dye (contrast). Most of the time, you will get the dye through a vein in your arm or hand before the test. Sometimes, the dye is given into a joint. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of closed spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your provider may suggest an “open” MRI, in which the machine is not as close to the body.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
Certain types of artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner:

Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room.
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. You will need to lie still. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine makes loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help block out the noise.

An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones to help the time pass.

There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can return to your normal diet, activity, and medicines.

Why the Test is Performed

This test provides detailed pictures of parts of the leg that are hard to see clearly on CT scans.

Your doctor may order an MRI of the leg if you have:

A mass that can be felt on a physical exam
An abnormal finding on an x-ray or bone scan
Birth defects of the leg, ankle, or foot
Bone pain and fever
Broken bone
Decreased motion of the ankle joint
Pain, swelling, or redness in a leg
Redness or swelling of the ankle joint
Leg pain and a history of cancer
Leg, foot, or ankle pain that does not get better with treatment

Normal Results

A normal result means your leg looks ok.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be due to:

Abscess
Achilles tendonitis
Arthritis
Broken bone or fracture
Infection in the bone
Ligament, tendon, or cartilage injury
Muscle damage
Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis)
Plantar fascia rupture (See: Plantar fascitis )
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
Tear or rupture of the Achilles tendon in the ankle area
Tumor or cancer in the bone, muscle, or soft tissue

Talk to your provider about your questions and concerns.

Risks

MRI contains no radiation. There have been no reported side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions are rare. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems that need dialysis. If you have kidney problems, please tell your health care provider before the test.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants to not work as well. It can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift. For safety reasons, please do not bring anything that contains metal into the scanner room.

Considerations

Tests that may be done instead of an MRI include:

Bone scan
CT scan of the leg
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
X-ray of the leg

A CT scan may be preferred in an emergency. The test is faster than MRI and often available in the emergency room.

Breast MRI scan

MRI – breast; Magnetic resonance imaging – breast; Breast cancer – MRI; Breast cancer screening – MRI

A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the breast and surrounding tissue. It does not use radiation ( x-rays ).

A breast MRI may be done in combination with mammography or ultrasound . It is not a replacement for mammography.

How the Test is Performed

You will wear a hospital gown or clothes without metal snaps or a zipper (sweatpants and a t-shirt). Some types of metal can cause blurry images.

You will lie on your stomach on a narrow table with your breasts hanging down into cushioned openings. The table slides into a large tunnel-like tube.

Some exams require a special dye (contrast). Most of the time, you will get the dye through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the doctor (radiologist) see some areas more clearly.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test lasts 30 to 60 minutes but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of tight spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Also, your provider may suggest an “open” MRI. The machine is not as close to the body in this type of test.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
Certain types of artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive the IV contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner:

Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room.
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. You will need to lie still. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors.

If you are very anxious, you may be given medicine to calm your nerves.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine makes loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You will likely be given earplugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the room lets you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones to help the time pass.

There is no recovery time unless you were given medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can return to your normal diet, activity, and medicines unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Why the Test is Performed

MRI provides detailed pictures of the breast. It also provides clear pictures of parts of the breast that are hard to see clearly on an ultrasound or mammogram.

Breast MRI may also be performed to:

Check for more cancer in the same breast or the other breast after breast cancer has been diagnosed
Distinguish between scar tissue and tumors in the breast
Evaluate a breast lump (most often after a biopsy)
Evaluate an abnormal result on a mammogram or breast ultrasound
Evaluate for possible rupture of breast implants
Find any cancer that remains after surgery or chemotherapy
Show blood flow through the breast area
Guide a biopsy (not usually done)

An MRI of the breast may also be done after a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in women who:

Are at very high risk for breast cancer (those with a strong family history or genetic markers for breast cancer)
Have very dense breast tissue

Before having a breast MRI, talk to your provider about the pros and cons of having the test. Ask about:

Your risk for breast cancer
Whether screening decreases your chance of dying from breast cancer
Whether there is any harm from breast cancer screening, such as side effects from testing or overtreatment of cancer when discovered

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be due to:

Breast cancer
Cysts
Leaking or ruptured breast implants
Abnormal breast tissue that is not cancer
Scar tissue

Consult your provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Risks

MRI contains no radiation. No side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to this dye are rare. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems that need dialysis. If you have kidney problems, tell your provider before the test.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can make heart pacemakers and other implants not work as well. It can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift.

Considerations

Breast MRI is more sensitive than a mammogram, especially when it is performed using contrast dye. However, breast MRI may not always be able to distinguish breast cancer from noncancerous breast growths. This can lead to a false-positive result.

MRI also cannot pick up tiny pieces of calcium (microcalcifications), which mammograms can detect.

A biopsy is needed to confirm the results of a breast MRI.

Heart MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging – cardiac; Magnetic resonance imaging – heart; Nuclear magnetic resonance – cardiac; NMR – cardiac; MRI of the heart; Cardiomyopathy – MRI; Heart failure – MRI; Congenital heart disease – MRI

Heart magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging method that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the heart. It does not use radiation (x-rays).

Single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces dozens or sometimes hundreds of images.

The test may be done as part of a chest MRI.

How the Test is Performed

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal fasteners (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Some types of metal can cause blurry images or be attracted to the powerful magnet.

You will lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-like tube.

Some exams require a special dye (contrast). The dye is most often given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly. This is different from the dye used for a CT scan.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious, or your doctor may suggest an “open” MRI, in which the machine is not as close to the body.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
Certain types of artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner:

Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room.
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

A heart MRI exam causes no pain. Some people may become anxious when inside the scanner. If you have a hard time lying still or are very anxious, you may be given medicine to relax. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You may be given ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the scanner allows you to speak to the person operating the exam at any time. Some MRI scanners have televisions and special headphones to help pass the time.

There is no recovery time, unless sedation was necessary. (You will need someone to drive you home if sedation was given.) After an MRI scan, you can resume your normal diet, activity, and medicines, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Why the Test is Performed

MRI provides detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels from many views. Often, it is used when more information is needed after you have had an echocardiogram or heart CT scan. MRI is more accurate than CT scan or other tests for certain conditions, but less accurate for others.

Heart MRI may be used to evaluate or diagnose:

Heart muscle damage after a heart attack
Birth defects of the heart
Heart tumors and growths
Weakening or other problems with the heart muscle
Symptoms of heart failure

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be due to many things, including:

Heart valve disorders
Fluid in the sac-like covering around the heart ( pericardial effusion )
Tumor of the blood vessels or around the heart
Atrial myxoma
Congenital heart disease (heart problem that you are born with)
Damage or death to the heart muscle, seen after a heart attack
Inflammation of the heart muscle
Infiltration of the heart muscle by unusual substances
Weakening of the heart muscle, which can be caused by sarcoidosis or amyloidosis

Risks

There is no radiation involved in MRI. The magnetic fields and radio waves used during the scan have not been shown to cause any significant side effects.

Allergic reactions to the dye used during the exam are rare. The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. The person operating the machine will monitor your heart rate and breathing as needed. Rare complications can occur in people with severe kidney problems.

People have been harmed in MRI machines when they did not remove metal objects from their clothes or when metal objects were left in the room by others.

MRI is most often not recommended for traumatic injuries. Traction and life-support equipment cannot safely enter the scanner area.

MRIs can be costly, take a long time to perform, and are sensitive to movement.

Chest MRI

Nuclear magnetic resonance – chest; Magnetic resonance imaging – chest; NMR – chest; MRI of the thorax; Thoracic MRI

A chest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create pictures of the chest (thoracic area). It does not use radiation (x-rays).

How the Test is Performed

The test is done in the following way:

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal fasteners (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images or be dangerous to have on in the scanner room.
You lie on a narrow table, which slides into the large tunnel-shaped scanner.
You must be still during the exam, because movement causes blurred images.

Some exams require a special dye called contrast. The dye is usually given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly. A blood test to measure your kidney function may be done before the test. This is to make sure your kidneys are healthy enough to filter the contrast.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but it may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your doctor if you are claustrophobic (afraid of closed spaces). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your doctor may suggest an “open” MRI, in which the machine is not as close to your body.

Before the test, tell your health care provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
Artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or are on dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

The MRI contains strong magnets, so metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner. This is because there is a risk that they will be drawn from your body toward the scanner. Examples of metal objects you will need to remove are:

Pens, pocket knives, and eyeglasses
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids
Pins, hairpins, and metal zippers
Removable dental work

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. If you have trouble lying still or are very nervous, you may be given medicine to relax you. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors when the doctor looks at the images.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones that you can use to help the time pass.

There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can resume your normal diet, activity, and medicines.

Why the Test is Performed

A chest MRI provides detailed pictures of tissues within the chest area.

A chest MRI may be done to:

Provide an alternative to angiography , or avoid repeated exposure to radiation
Clarify findings from earlier x-rays or CT scans
Diagnose abnormal growths in the chest
Evaluate blood flow
Show lymph nodes and blood vessels
Show the structures of the chest from many angles
See if cancer in the chest has spread to other areas of the body (this is called staging — it helps guide future treatment and follow-up, and gives you an idea of what to expect in the future)
Detect tumors

Normal Results

A normal result means your chest area appears normal.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal chest MRI may be due to:

A tear in the wall , an abnormal widening or ballooning , or narrowing of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta)
Other abnormal changes of the major blood vessels in the lungs or chest
Buildup of blood or fluid around the heart or the lungs
Lung cancer or cancer that has spread to the lungs from elsewhere in the body
Cancer or tumors of the heart
Cancer or tumors of the chest , such as a thymus tumor
Disease in which the heart muscle becomes weakened, stretched, or has another structural problem ( cardiomyopathy )
Collection of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)
Damage to, and widening of the large airways of the lungs (bronchiectasis)
Enlarged lymph nodes
Infection of the heart tissue or heart valve
Esophageal cancer
Lymphoma in the chest
Birth defects of the heart
Tumors, nodules, or cysts in the chest

Risks

MRI uses no radiation. To date, no side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems who need dialysis. If you have kidney problems, tell your provider before the test.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants not to work as well. It can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift.

Considerations

Currently, MRI is not considered a valuable tool for spotting or monitoring slight changes in lung tissue. The lungs contain mostly air and are hard to image. CT scan tends to be better for monitoring these changes.

Disadvantages of MRI include:

High cost
Long length of the scan
Sensitivity to movement

Head MRI

Nuclear magnetic resonance – cranial; Magnetic resonance imaging – cranial; MRI of the head; MRI – cranial; NMR – cranial; Cranial MRI; Brain MRI; MRI – brain; MRI – head

A head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding nerve tissues.

It does not use radiation.

How the Test is Performed

Head MRI is done in the hospital or radiology center.

You lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-shaped scanner.

Some MRI exams require a special dye, called contrast material. The dye is usually given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine watches you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may receive medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Or your provider may suggest an “open” MRI, in which the machine is not as close to the body.

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal ties (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
An artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joint
A blood vessel stent
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)
Allergy to iodine, which is used in the contrast material

The MRI contains strong magnets. Metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner. This includes:

Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items
Removable dental work

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. If you have difficulty lying still or are very nervous, you may be given a medicine to relax. Too much movement can blur the images and cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine makes loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can ask for ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones that can help you pass the time or block the scanner noise.

There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can go back to your normal diet, activity, and medicines.

Why the Test is Performed

An MRI provides detailed pictures of the brain and nerve tissues.

A brain MRI can be used to diagnose and monitor many diseases and disorders that affect the brain, including:

Birth defect
Bleeding ( subarachnoid bleed or bleeding in the brain tissue itself)
Family history of aneurysms
Infection, such as brain abscess
Tumors (cancerous and noncancerous)
Hormonal disorders (such as acromegaly , galactorrhea , and Cushing syndrome )
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke

An MRI scan of the head can also determine the cause of:

Muscle weakness or numbness and tingling
Changes in thinking or behavior
Hearing loss
Headaches when certain other symptoms or signs are present
Speaking difficulties
Vision problems
Dementia

A special type of MRI called magnetic resonance angiography ( MRA ) may be done to look at blood vessels in the brain.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be due to:

Abnormal blood vessels in the brain ( arteriovenous malformations of the head )
Tumor of the nerve that connects the ear to the brain ( acoustic neuroma )
Bleeding in the brain
Brain infection
Bulging of the blood vessel in the brain ( aneurysm )
Brain tissue swelling
Brain tumors
Damage to the brain from an injury
Fluid collecting around the brain ( hydrocephalus )
Infection of the skull bones ( osteomyelitis )
Loss of brain tissue
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke or transient ischemic attack ( TIA )
Structural problems in the brain

Risks

MRI uses no radiation. To date, no side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems who are on dialysis. If you have kidney problems, tell your provider before the test.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can make heart pacemakers and other implants not work as well. It can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift.

Considerations

MRI is used more often than CT scan. This is because it can easily find defects in the soft tissue. Also, it is safe during pregnancy.

Tests that may be done instead of an MRI of the head include:

Head CT scan
Positron emission tomography ( PET ) scan of the brain

A CT scan may be preferred in the following cases, since it is faster and usually available right in the emergency room:

Acute trauma of the head and face
Bleeding in the brain (within the first 24 to 48 hours)
Early symptoms of stroke
Skull bone disorders and disorders involving the bones of the ear

Heart MRI

Heart magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging method that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the heart. It does not use radiation (x-rays).

Single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces dozens or sometimes hundreds of images.

The test may be done as part of a chest MRI .

How the Test is Performed

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal fasteners (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Some types of metal can cause blurry images or be attracted to the powerful magnet.

You will lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-like tube.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
Certain types of artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner:

Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room.
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You may be given ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the scanner allows you to speak to the person operating the exam at any time. Some MRI scanners have televisions and special headphones to help pass the time.

Why the Test is Performed

Heart MRI may be used to evaluate or diagnose:

Heart muscle damage after a heart attack
Birth defects of the heart
Heart tumors and growths
Weakening or other problems with the heart muscle
Symptoms of heart failure

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be due to many things, including:

Heart valve disorders
Fluid in the sac-like covering around the heart ( pericardial effusion )
Tumor of the blood vessels or around the heart
Atrial myxoma
Congenital heart disease (heart problem that you are born with)
Damage or death to the heart muscle, seen after a heart attack
Inflammation of the heart muscle
Infiltration of the heart muscle by unusual substances
Weakening of the heart muscle, which can be caused by sarcoidosis or amyloidosis

Risks

There is no radiation involved in MRI. The magnetic fields and radio waves used during the scan have not been shown to cause any significant side effects.

People have been harmed in MRI machines when they did not remove metal objects from their clothes or when metal objects were left in the room by others.

MRI is most often not recommended for traumatic injuries. Traction and life-support equipment cannot safely enter the scanner area.

MRIs can be costly, take a long time to perform, and are sensitive to movement.

Leg MRI scan

MRI – lower extremity; Magnetic resonance imaging – leg; Magnetic resonance imaging – lower extremity; MRI – ankle; Magnetic resonance imaging – ankle; MRI – femur; MRI – leg

A leg MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the leg uses strong magnets to create pictures of the leg. This may include the ankle, foot, and surrounding tissues.

A leg MRI also creates pictures of the knee.

MRI does not use radiation (x-rays).

Single MRI images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces many images.

How the Test is Performed

You will lie on a narrow table that slides into a tunnel-like scanner.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
Certain types of artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner:

Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room.
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. You will need to lie still. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine makes loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help block out the noise.

An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones to help the time pass.

There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can return to your normal diet, activity, and medicines.

Why the Test is Performed

This test provides detailed pictures of parts of the leg that are hard to see clearly on CT scans.

Your doctor may order an MRI of the leg if you have:

A mass that can be felt on a physical exam
An abnormal finding on an x-ray or bone scan
Birth defects of the leg, ankle, or foot
Bone pain and fever
Broken bone
Decreased motion of the ankle joint
Pain, swelling, or redness in a leg
Redness or swelling of the ankle joint
Leg pain and a history of cancer
Leg, foot, or ankle pain that does not get better with treatment

Normal Results

A normal result means your leg looks ok.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be due to:

Abscess
Achilles tendonitis
Arthritis
Broken bone or fracture
Infection in the bone
Ligament, tendon, or cartilage injury
Muscle damage
Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis)
Plantar fascia rupture (See: Plantar fascitis )
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
Tear or rupture of the Achilles tendon in the ankle area
Tumor or cancer in the bone, muscle, or soft tissue

Talk to your provider about your questions and concerns.

Risks

MRI contains no radiation. There have been no reported side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves.

Considerations

Tests that may be done instead of an MRI include:

Bone scan
CT scan of the leg
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
X-ray of the leg

A CT scan may be preferred in an emergency. The test is faster than MRI and often available in the emergency room.

Lumbar MRI scan

Magnetic resonance imaging – lumbar spine; MRI – lower back

A lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses energy from strong magnets to create pictures of the lower part of the spine (lumbar spine).

An MRI does not use radiation (x-rays).

Single MRI images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces many images.

Related exams include:

Cervical MRI scan (neck MRI)
MRI

How the Test is Performed

You will wear a hospital gown or clothes without metal snaps or zippers (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Make sure you take off your watch, jewelry and watches. Some types of metal can cause blurry images.

You will lie on a narrow table that slides into a large tunnel-like tube.

Some exams require a special dye (contrast). Most of the time, you will get the dye through a vein (IV) in your hand or arm before the test. You can also get the dye through an injection. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
Certain types of artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner:

Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room.
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. You will need to lie still as too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine makes loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help block out the noise.

An intercom in the room lets you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones that you can use to help the time pass.

There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can return to your normal diet, activity, and medicines.

Why the Test is Performed

You may need a lumbar MRI if you have:

Low back pain that does not get better after treatment
Leg weakness, numbness, or other symptoms that do not improve or get worse

Your provider may also order a lumbar MRI if you have:

Back pain and fever
Birth defects of the lower spine
Injury or trauma to the lower spine
Low back pain and a history or signs of cancer
Multiple sclerosis
Problems controlling or emptying your bladder
Disc herniation

Normal Results

A normal result means your spine and nearby nerves look okay.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Most of the time, Abnormal results are due to:

Herniated or “slipped” disk ( lumbar radiculopathy )
Narrowing of the spinal column ( spinal stenosis )
Abnormal wearing on the bones and cartilage in the spine (spondylitis)

Other abnormal results may be due to:

Ankylosing spondylitis , a type of arthritis
Bone infection
Cauda equina syndrome
Fractures of the lower back due to osteoporosis
Disk inflammation ( diskitis )
Spinal cord abscess
Spinal cord injury
Spinal tumor
Syringomyelia

Talk to your provider about your questions and concerns.

Risks

MRI contains no radiation. There have been no reported side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants to not work as well. It can also cause other pieces of metal inside your body to move or shift. For safety reasons, please do not bring anything that contains metal into the scanner room.

Pelvis MRI scan

MRI – pelvis; MRI – hips; Pelvic MRI with prostate probe; Magnetic resonance imaging – pelvis

A pelvis MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a imaging test that uses a machine with powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the area between the hip bones. This part of the body is called the pelvic area.

Structures inside and near the pelvis include the bladder, prostate and other male reproductive organs, female reproductive organs, lymph nodes, and pelvic bones.

An MRI does not use radiation. Single MRI images are called slices. The images are stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces dozens or sometimes hundreds of images.

How the Test is Performed

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal fasteners. Certain types of metal can cause inaccurate images.

You lie on your back on a narrow table. The table slides into the middle of the MRI machine.

Small devices, called coils, may be placed around your hip area. These devices help send and receive the radio waves, and improve the quality of the images. If pictures of the prostate and rectum are needed, a small coil will be placed into your rectum. This coil must stay in place for about 30 minutes while the images are taken.

Some exams require a special dye called contrast media. The dye is most often given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you relax and be less anxious. Or your provider may suggest an open MRI in which the machine is not as close to the body.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
Artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Vascular stents
Pain pumps
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner:

Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room.
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. If you have difficulty lying still or are very nervous, you may be given a medicine to relax you. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can request a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones that you can use to help the time pass.

There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can resume your normal diet, activity, and medications.

Why the Test is Performed

This test may be done if a female has any of the following signs or symptoms:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding
A mass in the pelvis (felt during a pelvic exam or seen on another imaging test)
Fibroids
A pelvic mass that occurs during pregnancy
Endometriosis (usually only done after ultrasound)
Pain in the lower belly (abdominal) area
Unexplained infertility (usually only done after ultrasound)
Unexplained pelvic pain (usually only done after ultrasound)

This test may be done if a male has any of the following signs or symptoms:

Lumps or swelling in the testicles or scrotum
Undescended testicle (unable to be seen using ultrasound)
Unexplained pelvic or lower abdominal pain
Unexplained urination problems, including trouble starting or stopping urinating

A pelvic MRI may be done in both males and females who have:

Abnormal findings on an x-ray of the pelvis
Birth defects of the hips
Injury or trauma to the hip area
Unexplained hip pain

A pelvic MRI is also often done to see if certain cancers have spread to other areas of the body. This is called staging. Staging helps guide future treatment and follow-up and gives you some idea of what to expect in the future. A pelvic MRI may be used to help stage cervical, uterine, bladder, rectal, prostate and testicular cancers.

Normal Results

A normal result means your pelvic area appears normal.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results in a woman may be due to:

Adenomyosis of the uterus
Bladder cancer
Cervical cancer
Colorectal cancer
Congenital defect of the reproductive organs
Endometrial cancer
Endometriosis
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian growths
Problem with the structure of the reproductive organs, such as the fallopian tubes
Uterine fibroids

Abnormal results in a man may be due to:

Bladder cancer
Colorectal cancer
Prostate cancer
Testicular cancer

Abnormal results in both males and females may be due to:

Avascular necrosis of the hip
Birth defects of the hip joint
Bone tumor
Hip fracture
Osteoarthritis
Osteomyelitis

Talk to your health care provider if you have questions and concerns.

Risks

MRI contains no radiation. To date, no side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. But gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems who require dialysis. If you have kidney problems, tell your provider before the test

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants to not work as well. It can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift.

Considerations

Tests that may be done instead of a pelvic MRI include:

CT scan of the pelvic area
Vaginal ultrasound (in women)
X-ray of the pelvic area

A CT scan may be done in emergency cases, since it is faster and most often available in the emergency room.

Shoulder MRI scan

MRI – shoulder; Magnetic resonance imaging – shoulder

A shoulder MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is an imaging test that uses energy from powerful magnets and to create pictures of the shoulder area.

It does not use radiation (x-rays).

Single MRI images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces dozens or sometimes hundreds of images.

Related tests include:

Arm MRI
MRI

How the Test Is Performed

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal snaps or zippers (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Make sure you take off your watch, jewelry, and wallet. Some types of metal can cause blurry images.

You will lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-like tube.

Some exams require a special dye (contrast). The dye is usually given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye can also be injected into the shoulder. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but it may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your doctor if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious (sedative). Your doctor may also suggest an “open” MRI, in which the machine is not as close to the body.

Before the test, tell your health care provider if you have:

Brain aneurysm clips
Certain types of artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed in the room with the MRI scanner:

Pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room.
Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. You will need to lie still. Too much movement can cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can request a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the room lets you speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones to help you pass the time.

There is no recovery time, unless you received medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can go back to your normal diet, activity, and medicines.

Why the Test is Performed

MRI is useful for diagnosing and evaluating sports injuries. It can provide clear pictures of parts of the shoulder (such as soft tissues) that are hard to see clearly on CT scans.

Your doctor may order this test if you have:

A mass that can be felt during a physical exam
An abnormal finding on an x-ray or bone scan
Shoulder pain and fever
Decreased motion of the shoulder joint
Fluid buildup in the shoulder joint
Redness or swelling of the shoulder joint
Shoulder instability
Shoulder weakness
Shoulder pain and a history of cancer
Shoulder pain that does not get better with treatment

Normal Results

A normal result means no problems were seen in your shoulder and surrounding tissue in the images.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Some possible causes of abnormal results may be:

Abscess
Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
Broken or fractured shoulder bone
Bursitis in the shoulder area
Abnormal Osteonecrosis (vascular necrosis)
Rotator cuff tear
Rotator cuff tendinitis
Shoulder inflammation (frozen shoulder)
Tumor (including cancer
Labral tear
Cyst in the shoulder

This list does not include all possible problems. Talk to your health care provider with any questions and concerns.

Risks

MRI contains no radiation. No side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems that require dialysis. If you have kidney problems, please tell your health care provider before the test.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants not to work as well. It can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift. Please make sure you do not bring anything that contains metal into the scanner room, it can become projectile and dangerous to you.

Considerations

Tests that may be done instead of an MRI of the shoulder include:

Shoulder CT scan
X-ray of the shoulder

A CT scan may be preferred in some emergency cases, since it is faster and usually available right in the emergency room.

Sinus MRI scan

MRI of the sinuses; Magnetic resonance imaging – sinuses; Maxillary sinus MRI

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the sinuses creates detailed pictures of the air-filled spaces inside the skull.

These spaces are called the sinuses. The test is noninvasive.

MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves instead of radiation. Signals from the magnetic field bounce off your body and are sent to a computer. There they are turned into images. Different types of tissues send back different signals.

Single MRI images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces dozens or sometimes hundreds of images.

How the Test is Performed

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal snaps or zippers (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images.

You will lie on a narrow table, which slides into a tunnel-shaped scanner.

Small devices, called coils, are placed around the head. These devices help improve the quality of the images.

Some exams require a special dye (contrast). The dye is usually given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 minutes, but may take longer.

How to Prepare for the Test

Before the test, tell the radiologist if you are on dialysis. This may affect whether you can have IV contrast.

If you fear confined spaces (have claustrophobia), tell your doctor before the exam. You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your health care provider may also recommend an “open” MRI, in which the machine is not as close to the body.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can interfere with pacemakers and other implants. People with cardiac pacemakers cannot have an MRI and should not enter an MRI area.

You may not be able to have an MRI if you have any of the following metallic objects in your body:

Brain aneurysm clips
Certain types of artificial heart valves
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Pain pumps

Tell your provider if you have one of these devices when scheduling the test, so the exact type of metal can be determined.

Before an MRI, sheet metal workers or people that may have been exposed to small metal fragments should receive a skull x-ray. This is to check for metal in the eyes.

Because the MRI contains a magnet, metal-containing objects such as pens, pocketknives, and eyeglasses may fly across the room. This can be dangerous, so they are not allowed into the scanner area.

Other metallic objects are also not allowed into the room:

Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids can be damaged.
Pins, hairpins, metal zippers, and similar metallic items can distort the images.
Removable dental work should be taken out just before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

An MRI exam causes no pain. Some people may become anxious inside the scanner. If you have problems lying still or are very nervous, you may be given medicine to help you feel calm (sedative). Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors.

The table may be hard or cold. You can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the room lets you speak to the person operating the scanner at any time. Some MRI scanners have televisions and special headphones to help the time pass.

There is no recovery time, unless you need sedation. After an MRI scan, you can go back your normal diet, activity, and medicines.

Why the Test is Performed

This test provides detailed pictures of the sinuses. Your doctor may order this test if you have:

Abnormal nasal drainage
An abnormal finding on an x-ray or nasal endoscopy
Birth defect of the sinuses
Loss of smell
Nasal airway blockage that does not get better with treatment
Repeated bloody noses ( epistaxis )
Signs of injury to the sinus area
Unexplained headaches
Unexplained sinus pain that does not get better with treatment

Your provider may also order this test to:

Determine if nasal polyps have spread beyond the nose area
Evaluate an infection or abscess
Identify a mass or tumor, including cancer
Plan sinus surgery or monitor your progress after surgery

Normal Results

Results are considered normal if the organs and structures being examined are normal in appearance.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Different types of tissues send back different MRI signals. Healthy tissue will send back a slightly different signal than cancerous tissue.

Abnormal results may be due to:

Cancer or tumor
Infection in the bones of the sinuses (osteomyelitis)
Infection of the tissues surrounding the eye (orbital cellulitis)
Nasal polyps
Sinusitis – acute
Sinusitis – chronic

Talk to your health care provider if you have questions and concerns.

Risks

MRI uses no ionizing radiation. No side effects from MRI have been reported. The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to this dye rarely occur. The person operating the machine will monitor your heart rate and breathing.

Very rarely, people with kidney failure or chronic kidney disease can develop a serious reaction to the contrast (dye). If you have kidney problems it is important to tell the MRI technologist and health care provider before you get this dye.

MRI is usually not recommended for acute trauma situations, because traction and life-support equipment cannot safely enter the scanner area and the exam can take quite a bit of time.

People have been harmed in MRI machines when they did not remove metal objects from their clothes or when metal objects were left in the room by others.

Considerations

Tests that may be done instead of a sinus MRI include:

CT scan of the sinuses
X-ray of the sinuses

A CT scan may be preferred in emergency cases, since it is faster and often available in the emergency room.

Note: MRI is not as effective as CT in defining the anatomy of the sinuses, and therefore is not typically used for suspected acute sinusitis.