Magnetic resonance imaging is a modern, safe non-invasive method for examining organs and tissues. It allows you to get maximum information about the studied area of the body. Medicine today offers an MRI study of any organs, joints, bone tissue. The procedure is carried out with the help of a magnetic field and radio frequency pulses. MRI data is used both for diagnosis and for tracking treatment outcomes.
In this article you will get acquainted with the indications, contraindications, methods of performing magnetic resonance imaging. You will learn what an MRI of the abdominal organs shows. These are the liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, intestines, kidneys and bladder, as well as lymph nodes.
Types of abdominal MRI
Modern medicine classifies tomography methods according to the method of obtaining information:
- survey magneticresonance imaging;
- with and without the introduction of a contrast agent into the organ under study;
- tomography of venous sinuses and lymph nodes;
- magnetic resonance angiography.
Today, the survey method of research is most often used. He showed himself excellently both for the diagnosis of diseases of the joints, and for organs. The method with the introduction of a contrast agent into the organ under study is used relatively rarely today.
What does an abdominal MRI show?
Magnetic resonance imaging is one of the most capacious and informative studies in medical practice. What organs are checked on an MRI of the abdominal cavity? This procedure allows you to get an accurate picture of the condition of the following tissues and organs:
- liver and biliary tract;
- pancreas;
- veins and arteries of the abdominal cavity;
- stomach and spleen;
- intestine;
- lymph nodes;
- kidneys, adrenal glands and organs of the urinary system.
An indisputable plus of magnetic resonance imaging is that it allows you to assess the impact of one pathology on the state of neighboring organs.
What does an abdominal MRI show? Scanning can detect the presence and progression of the following pathological conditions:
- abnormal size or growth of an organ;
- deviations in the structure of organs and vessels of the abdominal cavity;
- inflammatory, cystic, obstructive tissue manifestations;
- neoplasms of various etiologies;
- aneurysms, thrombosis, ruptures, deformities - degenerative changes in blood vessels;
- pathologies in the nerve trunks;
- stones, sand and flakes in the kidneys, bladder, bile and urinary tract;
- metastases.
Now you know what an MRI of the abdomen and retroperitoneal space shows.
Indications for an MRI procedure
Research is one of the most expensive in modern medicine. Therefore, for prevention and because of the patient's tendency to hypochondria, it is not performed free of charge. Most often, MRI is performed when there is doubt about establishing the final diagnosis or when the disease is severe.
Often, MRI is prescribed to assess the growth dynamics of tumors, cysts, fibrosis. Ultrasound in most cases does not allow to reliably assess the size of the neoplasm and its structure. And for magnetic resonance imaging, this is not difficult.
Here are some of the most common reasons for doing it:
- obtaining insufficiently reliable results after ultrasound, radiography, computed tomography;
- acute conditions of the liver and kidneys, requiring the fastest possible diagnosis;
- unexplained liver enlargement (with relatively normal liver values);
- ischemic processes in organs or tissues;
- ascites or other causes of fluid accumulation around internal organs;
- impaired bile outflow uncleargenesis;
- pancreatitis in the period of complications or acute form;
- stones in the kidneys and urinary tract, in the gallbladder;
- cysts, neoplasms, hemangiomas, adenomas and other benign neoplasms;
- suspected complications after surgery;
- impossibility of using other diagnostic methods.
Possible contraindications
MRI is strictly prohibited under the following conditions:
- an electronic or ferromagnetic device in the patient's body, this could be a pacemaker or defibrillator, cochlear implant, bone support structure;
- the patient has tattoos made with dyes mixed with some metals;
- the first and the beginning of the second trimesters of pregnancy (the final decision on the appropriateness of the study is made by the attending physician);
- patients with the third stage of obesity (over 140 kg) can damage the equipment, so this study is not suitable for them.
Modern braces to correct the bite, new generation dental implants are not a contraindication.
Abdominal MRI with contrast should not be done with the following symptoms:
- individual intolerance to any component of the contrast composition;
- chronic renal failure and hemodialysis;
- liver failure (the final decision on the appropriateness of the study is made by the attending physician);
- pregnancy andlactation.
Indirect contraindications for abdominal MRI:
- claustrophobia;
- hyperactivity;
- conditions in which the subject cannot remain completely immobile.
Modern MRI machines are equipped with an open capsule with a glass top - this makes it easier to study patients with phobias of closed space. But, alas, not all hospitals are equipped with such modern equipment.
Preparation for tomography
The patient two days before the study must take care of the following rules:
- Exclude gas-producing foods from your diet.
- If we are talking about an MRI of the pancreas or liver, you should stick to a carbohydrate-free diet, which helps unload these organs.
- Preparing for an abdominal MRI involves a complete rejection of alcoholic beverages.
- In case of flatulence, it is necessary to drink laxatives or carminative drugs (the name and dosage is given by the doctor).
- If the procedure will be performed with a contrast fluid, you need to make sure that the patient does not have an allergic reaction to the components of the solution.
- Women need to make sure they are not pregnant before an abdominal MRI.
- On the day of the procedure, you can not smoke, drink alcoholic and carbonated drinks. In some cases, any meal is prohibited (this is additionally reported by the attending physician).
How is conducted itselfprocedure?
The patient changes into a spacious disposable medical gown. He is told about the procedure. If necessary, measure blood pressure and inject a contrast agent intravenously.
Then the patient lies down on a sliding table, ear plugs are inserted into his ears (so that the sounds in the capsule do not disturb). Arms and legs are fixed with elastic straps. The table then slides into the capsule and the opening closes.
The doctor goes into the next room to conduct an examination using a special computer. During the examination, the patient should not move. The duration of an MRI is from twenty minutes to one and a half hours (depending on the area and damage to the organ being examined). An MRI of the abdomen and retroperitoneum usually takes about an hour.
After completion, the patient should not experience any ailments. The doctor studies the materials received and can draw up a conclusion within a couple of hours after the study.
MRI of the liver and biliary tract
Today, the study of these organs is most often carried out with a contrast composition.
Liver MRI shows:
- state and size of the gallbladder and biliary tract;
- causes of jaundice and increased liver function;
- size and structure of hemangiomas, neoplasms, cysts;
- visualization of stones and polyps;
- strictures of the bile ducts.
Average cost of liver andbiliary tract in paid diagnostic centers - from four to twenty thousand rubles (depending on the complexity of the case, the quality of the equipment and the qualifications of the doctor).
MRI pancreas
It will help to identify any diseases of the organ - both in acute form and in chronic. In the presence of neoplasms, the procedure will show what stage of development of the tumor and in which particular lobe of the gland it is located.
The presence of an insulinoma in the tail of the pancreas can also be seen using MRI. In chronic pancreatitis, you can track its stage and not miss the onset of the development of pancreatic necrosis.
Which abdominal MRI scans are the cheapest? This is exactly the study of the pancreas: in paid diagnostic centers, the study of this organ will cost from two to three thousand rubles.
MRI of the stomach and esophagus
The most common and demanded study among patients. Helps to identify the degree of damage to the tissues of the stomach in any erosions, gastritis, ulcers. Reliably displays the size and position of cysts, adenomas and neoplasms. It will tell you about the condition of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, the presence of ulcers and erosions on it, the fact of the presence of bleeding of the gastric walls.
At cost, such a study will cost from three to fifteen thousand rubles, depending on the diagnostic center (average prices for Moscow and the region).
MRI of lymph nodes and spleen
This method is resorted to ifsuspect the presence of the following diseases:
- violation of the structure and integrity of organ tissues;
- splenomegaly (enlarged spleen);
- pathological formations in the tissues of the organ;
- cysts, adenomas and neoplasms.
The cost of an MRI examination of the spleen and lymph nodes of the abdominal region is from two to eight thousand rubles in paid diagnostic centers in Moscow and the region.
Intestinal MRI
Magnetic tomography can reveal neoplasms anywhere in the intestine, polyps and ulcers.
Proctologist prescribes laxatives before the examination. The procedure can be performed with or without contrast fluid.
Conducting a study without a solution is completely safe, with contrast, accurate visualization of neoplasms is possible - but the radiation will be more serious.
Often, in parallel with MRI of the intestine, a colonoscopy or endoscopy is prescribed. These studies are performed using a colonoscope. Part of the tissue is taken for further analysis.
Kidneys, adrenal glands and organs of the urinary system
MRI of the urinary tract is performed to clarify the diagnosis and study of diseases of unknown origin.
Most often, patients turn to this procedure for the following symptoms:
- appearance of pulling, excruciating pain in the lumbar;
- Urine outflow disorders - frequent diuresis or, on the contrary, of a delayed nature;
- presence of blood, mucus, flakes, sediment in the urine;
- painfulurination;
- suspicion of stones, cysts, neoplasms in the tissues of the kidneys;
- pathology of the urinary system - size, integrity of organs.
MRI of the kidneys and urinary tract will show the inflammatory process, the amount of tissue damage in case of mechanical damage and injuries of various origins.
How safe is the procedure?
When performing an MRI of the abdominal cavity, what complications can occur? Are there long-term negative he alth effects? These questions are of concern to many patients in the first place. The procedure has no cumulative effect and in fact does not harm he alth. But small nuances still exist.
Here is a list of possible consequences of an abdominal MRI:
- With a tendency to mental disorders and increased anxiety - bouts of claustrophobia. A person can start to have a seizure right in the capsule, a panic attack occurs. after examination, he may experience claustrophobia in elevators, toilets, shops.
- If there are metal parts in the body, under the influence of the tomograph they will begin to be attracted, tearing soft tissues. Such moments are discussed in advance with the attending physician and in the presence of pacemakers or defibrillators, cochlear implants, structures for holding bones, MRI will be canceled.
- The effect of the tomograph on the embryo has not been fully studied. When conducting a study in the first trimester of pregnancy, disturbances in the development of the fetus may occur. Seriousconsultation with the attending physician to confirm the need for the procedure during pregnancy.
- Allergic reactions are possible when using a contrast agent. Before conducting the study, it is necessary to do a test for individual intolerance.
