While many brain conditions can be serious or life-threatening, it's important to realize that an MRI of the brain isn't something that should be scary. It's a beneficial process that can help your medical team spot potential problems and offer treatment before the issues develop into something more severe.
An MRI scan will show a detailed image of your brain, spinal cord, nerve tissue, and more. A neurologist would order an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of your brain if they suspect something is wrong, if they are diagnosing an issue, or if they want to monitor the development or treatment of an injury.
The magnetic fields that change with time create loud knocking noises which may harm hearing if adequate ear protection is not used. They may also cause peripheral muscle or nerve stimulation that may feel like a twitching sensation. The radiofrequency energy used during the MRI scan could lead to heating of the body.
More specifically, a brain or head MRI can show if there are any abnormalities in your brain or the surrounding tissues, including, but not limited to: Inflammation and swelling. Structural issues. Abnormal growths or masses.
MRI gives very detailed pictures of soft tissues like the brain. Air and hard bone do not give an MRI signal so these areas appear black.
Magnetic resonance imaging produces clearer images compared to a CT scan. In instances when doctors need a view of soft tissues, an MRI is a better option than x-rays or CTs. MRIs can create better pictures of organs and soft tissues, such as torn ligaments and herniated discs, compared to CT images.
Because an MRI provides clear pictures of soft tissues, it's a reliable tool for diagnosing brain conditions. Soft tissues refer to muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves and other tissues in the body.
Drawbacks of MRI scans include their much higher cost, and patient discomfort with the procedure. The MRI scanner subjects the patient to such powerful electromagnets that the scan room must be shielded.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans are used most often to look for brain diseases. These scans will almost always show a brain tumor, if one is present.
A CT scan is usually the best first test to use if the doctor thinks you have a skull fracture or bleeding in the brain. Your doctor should look for symptoms and ask about the accident. Possible symptoms of skull fracture and bleeding: Weakness on one side of your face or body.
Brain – CT is used when speed is important, as in trauma and stroke. MRI is best when the images need to be very detailed, looking for cancer, causes of dementia or neurological diseases, or looking at places where bone might interfere.
Brain CT scans can provide more detailed information about brain tissue and brain structures than standard X-rays of the head, thus providing more data related to injuries and/or diseases of the brain. During a brain CT, the X-ray beam moves in a circle around the body, allowing many different views of the brain.
It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks for the results of an MRI scan to come through, unless they're needed urgently.
An MRI scan shows brain tissue in greater detail, allowing smaller, or more unusually located, areas affected by a stroke to be identified. As with a CT scan, special dye can be used to improve MRI scan images.
The inflammation can be measured in several ways. First, it can be seen on an MRI scan of the brain. Areas of inflammation take up a contrast agent called gadolinium, and show up brightly on MRI. When inflammation occurs, there is an increase in certain kinds of molecules called cytokines.
Doctors also use brain scans to find evidence of other sources of damage, such as tumors or stroke, that may aid in diagnosis. Brain scans used to help diagnose dementia include CT, MRI, and PET scans.
The test usually takes 30 to 60 minutes but can take as long as 2 hours.
An MRI machine uses powerful magnets that can attract any metal in your body. If this happens, you could get hurt. It can also damage equipment that's implanted in your body -- a pacemaker or cochlear implant, for instance. Also, metal can reduce the quality of the MRI image.
Imaging centers use MRI brain damage scans to: Receive a clearer picture of TBI. See where damage has occurred in the brain. Visualize the TBIs, concussions and other effects of brain injuries.
Sometimes the contrast agent can cause side effects, such as: feeling or being sick. a skin rash. a headache.
A brain MRI with and without contrast is recommended every year and a cervical spine MRI should be considered at least biannually. In patients with disease present within the spine, we recommend obtaining both brain and cervical spine MRIs on an annual basis. Figure 1.
Headaches are the most common symptom of brain tumors. Headaches happen in about half of people with brain tumors. Headaches can happen if a growing brain tumor presses on healthy cells around it. Or a brain tumor can cause swelling in the brain that increases pressure in the head and leads to a headache.
Diagnosing a brain tumor usually involves a neurological exam, brain scans and a biopsy, if it can be done safely. A neurological exam may include a variety of tests to evaluate neurological functions such as balance, hearing, vision and reflexes.
The symptoms can develop gradually over some months or even years if the tumour is slow growing. Or quickly over days or weeks if the tumour is fast growing.