Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Diagnosis and Treatment

of Various Diseases

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique that

helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Using this technique, the
doctors are able to visualize detailed internal structure of the human body. MRI uses
a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed
pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures.
In this imaging technique, ionizing radiation is not used.

Detailed images produced by this technique help doctors to determine the presence
of certain diseases that may not be assessed properly with other imaging methods
such as x-ray, ultrasound or computed tomgraphy. Magnetic resonance imaging
produces much greater contrast between the different soft tissues of the body as
compared to computed tomography, thereby making it extremely useful in
neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and oncological imaging.

MR imaging of the body is performed to evaluate breasts, blood vessels, organs of

the chest and abdomen and pelvic organs. Doctors can evaluate the heart, liver,
biliary tract, kidneys, spleen, bowel, pancreas, adrenal glands and reproductive
organs including prostate and testicles in male and uterus, cervix and ovaries in
females.

Doctors using MRI imaging technique to diagnose or monitor treatment for conditions
such as:

• Tumors of the chest, abdomen or pelvis

• Heart problems

• Blockages or enlargements of blood vessels, including the aorta, renal arteries,

and arteries in the legs

• Diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, and that of other abdominal organs,
including the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreatic ducts

• Diseases of the small intestine, colon, and rectum

• Cysts and solid tumors in the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract

• Tumors and other abnormalities of the reproductive organs

• Causes of pelvic pain in women

• Suspected uterine congenital abnormalities in women undergoing evaluation for

infertility

• Breast cancer and implants

Although MRI is an expensive imaging technique and takes more time to perform as
compared to other imaging modalities, the high quality images produced makes it an
extremely accurate method for detection of various diseases.