MRI Scan: What Can an MRI Reveal? - Symptoms & Conditions

MRI Capabilities: Detailed Anatomic & Pathologic Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate high-contrast, multiplanar images without ionizing radiation.

Major Clinical Applications

• Neuro: Brain tumors, stroke, MS, dementia, aneurysms, Chiari, pituitary lesions, spine (disc herniation, stenosis, cord compression, syrinx).
• Musculoskeletal: Ligament/meniscus/tendon tears, occult fractures, bone marrow edema, osteomyelitis, soft tissue masses.
• Abdominal/Pelvic: Liver lesions, pancreaticobiliary (MRCP), renal masses, adrenal, uterine/fibroids, prostate, rectal cancer staging.
• Cardiac: Cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, pericarditis, viability (delayed enhancement), flow quantification.
• Breast: High-risk screening, staging, implant integrity, problem-solving.
• Vascular: MRA for stenosis, aneurysm, dissection, AVM—no contrast needed for time-of-flight.
• Whole Body: Metastasis screening, lymphoma, myeloma.

Advanced Techniques

• Diffusion-weighted (DWI): acute stroke, tumor cellularity
• Perfusion: tumor grade, stroke penumbra
• Spectroscopy (MRS): metabolic profile
• Functional MRI (fMRI): preoperative mapping
• Arthrogram: labral/rotator cuff tears

Safety & Limitations

• No ionizing radiation—safe for repeat/pregnancy (2nd/3rd trimester).
• Contraindicated: most pacemakers, cochlear implants, ferromagnetic foreign bodies.
• Claustrophobia: open MRI, sedation options.
• Cost/availability higher than CT/X-ray.

MRI is the gold standard for soft tissue contrast and neural imaging.