Iowa Radiology Blog

A brain MRI (also known as a head MRI) allows a radiologist to examine not only the brain itself but also the bones of the skull, the optic and cranial nerves, the blood vessels connected to the brain, the muscles, fat, and connective tissue in the head, and the structures of the inner ear. As a result, a brain MRI can help identify a host of issues, including structural abnormalities, inflammation, masses, fluid leakage, or damage to nerve fibers. In this article, we’ll examine why your doctor might order a brain MRI, how it’s done, and what it can reveal.

If you’ve had X-ray imaging done in the past, you may remember having a lead shield laid over part of your body to prevent radiation from reaching areas that are not being imaged. In the 1950s, radiologists began shielding patients’ reproductive organs as well as the wombs of pregnant patients because they were unsure what long-term effects X-ray exposure may have on reproductive cells or a developing fetus.

MRI is an important imaging tool for diagnosing and assessing a wide range of medical conditions. If an MRI may be in your future, here are six basic facts you should know.

Each year since 1996, the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives promotes Brain Awareness Week. The initiative brings together people from academia, government, and professional and advocacy groups to celebrate the brain and promote brain research that supports prevention, treatment, and cures for brain disorders.

For many patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe way to discover important health information. Unlike X- rays or CT scans, MRI does not expose patients to ionizing radiation. However, it’s important to follow protocols to ensure the safety and effectiveness of MRI. To enable your health care team to provide the best possible care and obtain accurate images, take the following steps prior to your exam.

It’s always important to understand the potential risks and benefits of any medical procedure your doctor recommends. When you’re pregnant, this is essential to protect both your health and the health of your developing fetus. While ultrasound is the imaging method of choice for pregnant patients because of its high degree of safety, MRI may be recommended when ultrasound isn’t capable of obtaining the medical information your doctor needs to best support your and your child’s health.

Have you ever wondered why your doctor chooses to order one type of imaging over another? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are two modalities that can sometimes be used for the same purposes. Understanding the differences between them and the strengths and limitations of each can give you insight into the reasons behind your doctor’s choice. 

When it was first used on a human subject in 1977, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was an important advance in medical imaging, making it possible for the first time to create detailed images that can provide vital health information without using harmful ionizing radiation. Instead, MRI uses powerful magnets that cause the protons of hydrogen atoms in the body to align in a way that can be translated into three-dimensional images, which can then be examined closely by a radiologist. As a result, MRI is a very safe way for many patients and their doctors to get the information they need to plan an effective course of treatment.

Why are sedatives prescribed for MRI?

While MRI is, in itself, a painless procedure that many patients find very tolerable, it can be difficult for some to endure due to the need to remain still in an enclosed space for extended periods. Those who experience intense anxiety or claustrophobia can have an especially hard time successfully completing an MRI. Because the information obtainable with this procedure can have great value in diagnosing problems and guiding treatments, doctors often prescribe sedatives to help patients through the procedure.

When you need to undergo a medical procedure, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. What is routine for healthcare providers often involves a great deal of new information for patients. In non-emergency situations, don’t hesitate to ask your provider to slow down and explain things at a pace you can follow, and make sure to ask any questions that you have before consenting to a procedure or taking a medication. In this article, we’ll look at medications that are commonly prescribed to help patients overcome claustrophobia and anxiety in order to successfully complete an MRI exam.