Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive modern diagnostic research method that allows you to visually examine deeply located biological tissues. It is based on such a physical phenomenon as nuclear magnetic resonance. This can be understood from the name of this method. When using it, the electromagnetic response of the nuclei of atoms is measured. Most often, hydrogen atoms are used.
MRI study - what is it?
Human tissues are saturated with hydrogen. This allows you to examine organs and tissues using the characteristics of the magnetic waves of this chemical element.
Proton (positively charged particle) of a hydrogen atom has a spin (magnetic moment), which is able to change its location in space when exposed to a powerful magnetic field. In an external magnetic field, its spin will be co-directed or oppositely directed relative to this field. MRI diagnosis is based on this.
The area under study is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a certain frequency. In this case, some protons change their magnetic moment byopposite, after which they return to their original position. At the end of exposure to electromagnetic radiation, a charged particle of hydrogen releases energy of relaxation. This energy during this process is recorded by special equipment (tomograph).
What is it used for?
MRI is a study that allows you to get an accurate image of all the soft internal organs and tissues of the body (brain and spinal cord, cartilage, etc.). This research method allows you to identify even the most minor changes and inflammatory processes, determine the speed of movement of biological fluids (blood, lymph, cerebrospinal fluid), see the reaction of the cerebral cortex to a change in the work of any organ. Tissues with a low water content (lungs, bones) are not examined using tomography, because their image is of poor quality. This study is especially widely used in neurosurgery and neurology. This method may have some contraindications.
Contraindications
MRI examination has its contraindications. They can be absolute or relative. Absolute contraindications suggest that this study should not be performed under any circumstances. With relative contraindications, MRI is undesirable, but if absolutely necessary, this is allowed.
Absolute contraindications
- Pacemaker.
- Metal implants.
- Ilizarov apparatus with a metal structure.
- Middle ear implants with magnetizablemetal components or electronic.
Relative contraindications
- Insulin pumps.
- Nervous system stimulants.
- Artificial heart valves.
- Inner ear implants are non-ferromagnetic.
- Hemostat.
- Non-ferromagnetic vascular clips (clamps) for intracranial aneurysms.
- Heart failure during decompensation.
- Claustrophobia (panic fear of closed spaces).
- Mental illness and inadequate patient condition.
- Alcohol intoxication.
- Extremely serious condition of the patient.
- First trimester of pregnancy.
- Tattoos that are made with dyes that have metallic components.
Titanium prostheses are not a contraindication for research, because they are non-ferromagnetic. In addition, there are weight restrictions for undergoing an MRI. The weight of the patient must not exceed 120 kg.
The presence of an intrauterine device, breastfeeding and menstruation are not a contraindication for MRI. The final decision to refuse this procedure is made by the MRI radiologist.
How is the examination done?
How is an MRI done? This procedure does not require any special preparation. The exception is MRI of the pelvic organs. On the eve of the procedure, you can eat food, but in moderation. The patient is asked to remove all accessories (watches, hairpins, jewelry), andalso dentures, a hearing aid and a wig, if any. In addition, credit cards and bank cards should also be left outside the office, as they can deteriorate. All metal and metal-containing, as well as electronic items, must be left outside the door, as they can disturb the magnetic field that is created during the examination procedure. This will reduce the quality of the pictures. In addition, this magnetic field can damage electronics.
If the patient has any metal prostheses, artificial heart valves, implanted electronic devices, etc., it is necessary to inform the doctor about this. MRI diagnostics in some cases may be contraindicated (this was discussed above) due to the possible harm to the patient's he alth, as well as the impact on the examination result. If the doctor has decided that there are no contraindications, the patient will be invited to the office for an examination. Some clinics offer to change into a gown, but you can stay in your clothes if they do not have ferromagnetic materials.
So how is an MRI done? To perform this procedure, the patient lies down in the tomograph tunnel. During the study, it is important to remain absolutely still. The quality of the pictures depends on this. A light is on in the tunnel and a fan is running to make it easier to breathe. There is also a built-in microphone. If necessary, you can talk to the doctor who conducts the examination.
Some examinations are performed with a contrast medium. If necessary, then the contrast is injected intovein in the elbow of the arm.
How long does the procedure take?
This type of study lasts 15 to 45 minutes. After the end of the procedure, the patient can be asked to linger a little until his images are fully studied by specialists, and there is confidence that they are performed with high quality, that is, no additional ones are needed.
MRI for young children
Usually, MRI is prescribed for children if the doctor suspects a pathology in which there is a high probability of damage to brain structures. Examinations of other internal organs using this method are prescribed less frequently for children.
This procedure is recommended for children after 5 years. It is very important that the child lies still during the examination. This takes 15 to 40 minutes. It is clear that such a time without movement is very difficult for a small patient to endure. If the child behaves restlessly during the examination, the images will be of poor quality and will not carry any information for the doctor.
A mother is allowed to be in the office while her baby is being examined. The scanner has a built-in microphone and it is possible to talk with the baby during the procedure.
In extreme cases, if this study is indispensable, you can do an MRI scan for children and younger. But in this case, the use of anesthesia is allowed to immobilize the child.
MRI for free under the MHI policy
Every citizen of the Russian Federation has a medicalinsurance policy. Is it possible to do an MRI under the MHI policy for free? The answer is yes, but not always. He alth insurance is necessarily included in the list of free services. If MRI diagnostics was included in this list when applying for a policy, then in a state medical institution where there is a tomograph, you can easily go through this procedure for free. But it is impossible to make such research free of charge for everyone. After all, MRI is a high-tech and expensive study. Nevertheless, free quotas for MRIs are allocated in public polyclinics. But there are few of them - only a few procedures per month. If necessary, such a quota can be obtained. To undergo this diagnostic procedure free of charge, the patient must have a justified referral from the attending physician. If there is such a referral, the patient can be put on a waiting list for this type of diagnosis, or if it is possible to undergo the procedure for a fee at any time convenient for the patient. The doctor should tell you exactly where you can get an MRI for free. If doctors are unable to provide this information, you can contact your insurance company directly.
MRI: cost
You can get an MRI procedure for a fee both in public medical institutions and in commercial clinics. As you already understood, MRI services are not cheap. The cost depends on the type of equipment used for the study, the prestige of the clinic and its distance from the city center. In addition, at night, MRI is somewhat cheaper. Usually, there is a system of discounts for this procedure in clinics, but you need to find out in advance. So,for example, the following categories of citizens can receive a 5% discount on MRI:
- Pensioners.
- Participants and veterans of wars.
- Liquidators of the Chernobyl accident.
- Disabled people of the first and second groups.
You can count on a 10% discount:
- Blockade.
- Participants of the Second World War.
- He alth workers upon presentation of a diploma of medical education and a certificate from the place of work stating that the citizen is currently working in their speci alty.
The price also depends on the use of a contrast agent during the MRI procedure. The cost of a study with contrast will be higher than without it. The accuracy of diagnostics using this substance increases significantly.
Cost depends on the examination area. The average price for examining one area without contrast is from 3,500 to 8,000 rubles.
Can an MRI be harmful to he alth?
If all the necessary requirements are met (remove all metal and electronic objects), this type of research cannot do any harm. At least, no such cases have been recorded so far. X-rays are not used here, so the procedure can be repeated as many times as needed.
If the patient has a pregnancy of up to 12 weeks, doctors suggest that there is a small risk to the fetus, but this assumption is purely theoretical. Patients suffering from claustrophobia should notify the specialist before the procedure,who will do the research. In this case, it is allowed to invite one of the close relatives to the procedure.
