What is MRI of the Body? MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

MR imaging 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. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed or copied to CD. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays).

Detailed MR images allow physicians to better evaluate various parts of the body and certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography (also called CT or CAT scanning).

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What are some common uses of the procedure?
Sample image: MRI of the abdomen showing liver and kidneys - frontal (coronal view)

MR imaging of the body is performed to evaluate:

* organs of the chest and abdomen—including the heart, liver, biliary tract, kidney, spleen, and pancreas and adrenal glands.
* pelvic organs including the reproductive organs in the male (prostate and testicles) and the female (uterus, cervix and ovaries).
* blood vessels (MR Angiography).
* breasts.

Physicians use the MR examination to help diagnose or monitor treatment for conditions such as:

* tumors of the chest, abdomen or pelvis.
* certain types of 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.
* cysts and solid tumors in the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract.
* tumors and other abnormalities of the reproductive organs (e.g., uterus, ovaries, testicles, prostate).
* causes of pelvic pain in women, such as fibroids, endometriosis and adenomyosis.
* suspected uterine congenital abnormalitynomalies in women undergoing evaluation for infertility.
* breast cancer and implants.
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodymr