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The MRI findings by themselves do not establish an absolute diagnosis, but in most situations, the findings will suggest the correct diagnosis. The images must be interpreted along with the patient's history, physical findings and information from other tests. Whilst in Australia, the Medicare rebate is restricted to a Specialist Referral, the involvement of the family doctor is essential for complete diagnosis and treatment. It is therefore a service to assist your Referring Doctor. Dalcross is a Technology hospital specialising in Brain and Spinal conditions. The hospital has invested in the best technology to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of Brain, Spinal, musculoskeletal and vascular conditions. This service is associated with some of Sydney's leading specialists and radiologists, to provide the patient with the best possible outcome, thereby maintaining world class standards at all times. At Dalcross the patient is our key focus - Ensuring accurate diagnosis with appropriate Treatment.
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MRI Machine |
What is MRI?
MRI is a non-invasive medical scanning technique that provides images of the inside of the human body in more detail and accuracy than any other technique currently available. Conventional scans use X-rays, ultrasound, or radioactive materials to examine internal organs. MRI uses powerful magnetic fields and radiowaves. It is safe and painless.
Most Common Use
The application of MRI has evolved rapidly since its clinical development in the early 1980's. MRI has become the examination of choice for:
- Brain, multiple sclerosis, tumours, pituitary adenoma, epilepsy, acoustic neuroma, ischaemia
- Spine - disc protrusion, sciatica, metastases, cord/ nerve lesions, syrinx, trauma.
- Musculoskeletal - injuries and disease affecting bone tendons, ligaments, cartilage or bone marrow, avascular necrosis.
- Cholangiography, tumour of the pancreas, prostate, liver and adrenal glands.
- Pelvis - prostatic and uterine tumours.
How is the examination performed?
The MRI machine consists of a large magnet that forms a short tube. A coil is placed around the area of the body to be examined, which acts as an antenna for the radiowaves. The patient lies on a bed that slides into the magnet at the start of the scan. This may make the patient feel closed in or truly claustrophobic. Patients could opt to be sedated. Scan times vary between 20 minutes to 50 minutes. It is however a painfree examination with no exposure to radiation.
Major benefits of MRI
It provides clearer and more detailed images of internal organs, soft tissue and certain bony structures than any other imaging method. MRI enables the detection of abnormalities that might be obscured by bone tissue with other imaging methods.
Some MRI systems can depict an organ's function, e.g. detect a stroke at a very early stage in the brain.
Risks
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MRI Brain Scan | To the best of our knowledge it is a safe technique with no known side effects. However, despite this, some patients cannot be scanned. Certain implanted medical devices such as pacemakers, infusion pumps, and nerve stimulators will malfunction or be damaged when placed in a strong magnetic fi eld. As a result, patients with these devices cannot be scanned. Rarely, the presence of artifi cial heart valves or surgical clips used to treat aneurysms of the brain, may prevent scanning, however, more recently these have been designed to be MRI compatible. Metal foreign bodies within the eye also prevent scanning and a plain X-ray may be performed if there is a possibility of foreign bodies being present. Metallic orthopaedic implants such as joint replacement do not prevent MRI scanning, however, if the scans are performed in the region of these implants, the diagnostic accuracy is reduced due to distortion of the images. MRI is generally avoided in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. These risks clearly need to be individualised depending on circumstances and it is important that this is explained. |
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