What Is an MRI Scan Used to Diagnose?

After an auto accident, work-related-injury, slip and fall incident, or another type of injury, your doctor may suggest an MRI.

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It is a type of test that relies on powerful radio waves, magnets, and a computer to create detailed images of the areas inside your body. One of the benefits of MRIs over CT scans and X-rays is that they do not use X-rays, which have damaging ionizing radiation.

2017 alone saw 39 million MRI scans, according to Statista. Additionally, the United States has the most units per person in the world.

There are numerous uses for MRI scans, with the condition that your doctor wants to diagnose determining the part of your body that the MRI will scan.

MRIs of Brain or Spinal Cord

An MRI of your brain or spinal cord can diagnose conditions like brain injury due to trauma, blood vessel damage, or spinal cord injuries following a car accident. According to WebMD, MRIs of this part of your body can also help diagnose inner ear problems, aneurysms of the cerebral vessels, eye issues, strokes, spinal cord disorders, tumors, multiple sclerosis, or cancer.

fMRIs

There are also functional MRIs, abbreviated as fMRIs, which are a sub-type of MRIs. This test creates images of the brain’s blood flow. It helps determine which areas of the brain take care of critical functions. fMRIs are commonly used before brain surgery to identify the most important areas of the brain for movement and language. They are also common after head injuries from work accidents or to assess Alzheimer’s disease.

MRIs of Heart or Blood Vessels

Your doctor may want an MRI of your blood vessels and/or heart to check for heart disease and blocked or inflamed blood vessels. They may also request an MRI after a heart attack. In this case, the test would check for further damage from the attack or use the MRI to diagnose issues related to your heart’s structure, such as searching for dissections or aneurysms in the aorta. This type of MRI can also help assess the function and size of the chambers in the heart or its walls’ movement and thickness.

MRIs of Bones or Joints

In the case of pain or discomfort in bones or joints throughout the body, an MRI can be helpful. These scans can help diagnose cancer or tumors, bone infections, damage to your joints, disk issues in the spine, or lower back or neck pain that involves nerve signs. An MRI can also check for joint abnormalities that occur due to traumatic or repetitive injuries, like torn ligaments or cartilage.

MRIs of Other Areas MRIs can also be used as a way to diagnose the overall health of other parts of the body, including specific organs. Some of the more common uses include checking the health of the liver, bile ducts, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas. These are in addition to checking the breasts, uterus, or ovaries in women or the prostate in men. MRIs of the breasts are commonly used in conjunction with mammography to look for breast cancer. This is particularly common in the case of women with a higher risk or with dense breast tissue.

If you are looking for the best Open MRI in Brooklyn NY, call (718) 769-2521 today to schedule your appointment! We are conveniently located at 3506 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11229. We accept most insurance plans including no-fault and workers’ compensation. Same-day appointments may be available.