Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Capturing What's Inside You!

The internal design of a human body is complicated, and hence, an X-Ray examination cannot reveal everything. To understand the minute insights better, doctors instruct MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). An MRI machine is a tube-shaped device which creates detailed images of tissues and organs of a human body under the influence of magnetic field and radio waves. When a patient lies inside an MRI machine, his body's hydrogen atoms are realigned by the magnetic field. Then, the radio waves in parallel produce faint signals to develop cross-sectional MRI images. The images can be created either in two dimensions or three dimensions as per requirement. 

Why is MRI done?

MRI is a noninvasive method of capturing high-resolution images of internal organs, tissues and skeletal system to diagnose the problems happening inside the body. 

MRI of Spinal Cord and Brain

Often patients undergo this examination for brain or spinal cord to diagnose:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Tumors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Aneurysms of cerebral vessels
• Disorders of the eye and inner ear
• Brain injury from trauma 

Apart from these variants, a particular type of MRI known as function MRI (fMRI) is done to measure the metabolic changes occurring inside the brain. It examines the brain's anatomy and determines how the parts of the brain are functioning. fMRI is also used to determine the damage caused due to head injury or diseases like Alzheimer's disease. 

MRI of Internal Organs

Medical science has earned numerous advantages since the launch of MRI technology. It can be used to identify abnormalities prevailing in body parts like:

• Ovaries
• Liver and bile ducts
• Spleen
• Prostate
• Kidneys
• Uterus
• Pancreas 

MRI of Heart and Blood Vessels

• For heart and blood vessels this technique can assess:
• The thickness and the movement of heart's walls.
• The structural problems of the aorta.
• The functions and size of the chambers of the heart.
• The blockage and inflammation in blood vessels.
• The seriousness of damage caused by heart disease or heart attack. 

MRI of Bones and Joints

• Here, this magnetic technology helps to evaluate:
• Disk abnormalities in the spine
• Bone infections
• Tumors of the bones and soft tissues
• Joint defects caused by traumatic or repetitive injuries 

Radiology Service Centers in San Antonio

If you want to undergo MRI or any other radiology procedure, then reach out to the experts of Gonzaba Medical Group. They are one of the leading providers of Diagnostic Imaging Services in San Antonio.

What is Radiology? What are its Types?

Advancements in technology have invented numerous non-invasive methods which can minutely diagnose the activities happening inside a human body. Medical imaging systems have made it possible to generate the pictures of anatomic structures and organs of living organisms. The images produced by these methods are highly detailed, and these contribute to expanding the knowledge of physicians and other associated resources to further proceed with the required treatment.

Radiology is a branch of medicine which concerns the use of radiant energy in diagnosing and treating diseases. The physician who specializes in radiology is known as a radiologist. There are two types of radiology:

·         Diagnostic Radiology-It is also known as diagnostic imaging, and it uses radiations of low intensity to develop highly detailed images of the internal system. It is usually used in diagnosing the internal state of the body in case of broken bones, blood clots, heart conditions and gastrointestinal conditions. It is also used to monitor the outcomes of ongoing treatment and in the diagnosis of breast and colon cancer. The following are examples of diagnostic radiology scans:

o   Ultrasound- It is the most inexpensive technology which is majorly used in producing images of the foetus and pregnant mother. It applies acoustic energy at application area to create pictures. Technically, the frequency of energy is above the audible frequency levels of the humans.

o   Nuclear Medicine Scans- This scan includes the patient gulping pill which encapsulates a gamma camera and a few other components. This short-lived radioactive element takes continuous snaps as it passes through the oesophagus.  

o   Radiography/X-Rays- It is one of the oldest body scan methods which is primarily used in developing images of bones, joints, and ligaments.

o   Computed Tomography (CT) Scans- This scan uses high radiation energy to generate images of all possible orientations.

o   Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans- It operates on magnetic field energy and is the most efficient procedure for producing two and three-dimensional images.

o   Interventional Radiology- It is a minimally invasive disease treatment procedure which uses diagnostic radiology scans (produced by CT scan, MRI scan and ultrasound to help guide medical procedures) to insert catheters, wires, and other incision tools. Doctors use stents, occluders and medications to cure conditions like cancers, back pain, blockages in arteries and veins and problems related to liver and kidney. 

Radiology Centers in San Antonio

For diagnostic imaging in San Antonio, Gonzaba Medical Group is the best place to visit. It is one of the chief providers of diagnostic imaging services and all under one roof.