How to Read Brain MRI Results

A magnetic resonance imaging machine, or MRI, takes cross-section pictures of the brain from the front, top and side to provide a complete picture of the brain through "slice" images. Reading the images presented in a brain MRI is not difficult, but does require a comprehensive understanding of the brain's anatomy. An anatomy book provides a reference for identification of brain components in a healthy state. Radiologists, however, provide physicians with accurate MRI readings from which diagnoses are made.

Instructions

• 1

  Place the MRI film in front of a light source to view contrast images.

• 2

  The brain is the gray area on the film and has dark "rivers" throughout, representing cerebral fluid and surrounding sinus cavities.

• 3

  Consult an anatomy book to identify and compare the main anatomical components that are represented in the MRI images.

• 4

  Locate the frontal cortex, temporal lobes and occipital process at the base of the skull in the MRI.

• 5

  Compare the images on the MRI film to those in the anatomy book to determine nonsymmetrical areas that are different in color, shape and size.

• 6

  Nonsymmetrical areas that appear darker than normal suggest a lesion with leakage of cerebral fluid. Brighter areas that are almost completely white suggest a mass that may be a tumor.