Going for MRI Scan?? Have a Look

MRI Scan Cost in Delhi – Magnetic Resonance Imaging is abbreviated as MRI. It is a medical imaging tool that helps a doctor see what is happening inside our body. On the basis of MRI films, the doctor can detect the cause of the patient’s discomfort. Through MRI films, the doctor may diagnose, detect, monitor, or treat various problems.

Ever wondered what’s inside an MRI machine??

MRI- Working Mechanism 

As the name suggests, magnetic resonance imaging relies on high-strength magnets, which generate powerful magnetic fields on command. The magnets are fitted inside the MRI machine and direct their magnetic fields onto the body lying in the MRI bed. Magnetic waves entering the body aligns the protons on the same path. These protons are then stimulated through radiofrequency current, which causes the protons to spin out of their equilibrium state. After switching off the radiofrequency field, there is a release of energy due to proton realignment detected by the MRI sensors fitted in the MRI machine. The time lapse between the realignment of protons and the release of energy varies among different environments and with different molecules. 

MRI- Image Generation

The patient is asked to lie down still on the MRI bed that goes inside a powerful magnet-fitted MRI scanner. To get a brighter image, a contrast agent which contains Gadolinium element is injected intravenously before the MRI scan. This dye is administered into the body to speed up the process of proton realignment with the magnetic fields. The more rapid the process of proton realignment, more clear the image will be. 

MRI – Uses

MRI diagnostic imaging is carried out for evaluation of the below-given parts of the body:

1. 1. Blood vessels
2. 2. Organs included in the abdominal region
3. 3. Lymph nodes
4. 4. Chest region organs
5. 5. Organs of the pelvic region
6.  

Conditions detected by the MRI scan include:

• 1. Heart problems
• 2. Tumors
• 3. Inflammatory diseases (bowel)
• 4. Fetus inside pregnant lady’s uterus
• 5. Blood vessel malformations
• 6. Liver problems- cirrhosis, 
• 7. Bile duct and pancreas abnormalities
•  

Why did my doctor ask for MRI?

If you are facing any discomfort in the soft tissues of the body, your doctor might ask you to get an MRI scan of that body part because he needs to observe the status of your internal organs or tissues concerned. MRI diagnostic tool provides pictures of soft and non-bony parts of the internal body. 

Which one is better?? MRI or CT scan

MRI is better than CT scans because,

1. 1. The CT scan employs harmful ionizing radiations, and their repeated exposure can lead to cancer, whereas magnetic waves are not injurious to health. 
2. 2. As compared to CT scan, MRI scan provides more clear pictures of soft tissues of the body like, 

• A. Nerves
• B. Muscles
• C. Tendon
• D. Brain 
• E. Spinal cord 
• F. Ligaments
•  

3. 3. Through MRI scans, doctors can easily distinguish the grey and white matter of the brain. Hence, it is an essential tool for diagnosing brain tumors and aneurysms.
4.  

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging “fMRI.”

fMRI is a modified version of MRI, having some additional features, which can detect,

• 1. Active Regions of the brain (which consume more oxygen) while undergoing some cognitive activities.
• 2. Brain functioning
• 3. Neurological status
• 4. Assessment of neurosurgical risk factors 
•  

Gear up for your MRI Scan

Precautionary measures before MRI scan:

MRI scanning is not based on harmful ionizing radiations. But MRI is based on powerful magnetic fields that can spin around a wheelchair across the room. Hence it is dangerous when the fields are distracted by some outside metallic objects. Things to keep in mind before going for an MRI;

1. 1. Take away all the jewelry
2. 2. Do not wear metal stud clothes 
3. 3. Chains, zips, or any kind of accessory in clothing is not allowed
4. 4. Patients must ensure that their doctors are well aware of their surgical implants or any type of surgery that may contain some metallic component, such as 
5.  

• A. Vagus nerve stimulators
• B. Pacemakers
• C. Implantable cardioverter
• D. Loop recorders
• E. Defibrillators
• F. Insulin pumps
• G. Cochlear implants
• H. Deep brain stimulators
• I. Endoscopy capsules 
•  

Patients with the above-given implants are prohibited from entering an MRI scan room.

Is undergoing an MRI scan Risky?

MRI scan is Not risky until you take enough precautions before entering the MRI room.

1. 1. Magnetic strength: Metallic objects can become projectiles of strong magnetic fields coming out from built-in powerful magnets in MRI scan 
2. 2. Unbearable sounds: MRI magnetic interactions inside the machine cause loud noises called beeps. Hence, wearing special devices to protect your ears in MRI Machine is essential. Sound intensity of more than 120 decibels is injurious to your ears and must require ear protection. 
3. 3. Twitching sensations: Alteration in magnetic fields entering the body stimulate nerves resulting in a twitching sensation.
4. 4. Risk due to contrast material: Some people with kidney failures or people undergoing dialysis find the contrast agents that are gadolinium-based elements quite risky because their kidneys cannot excrete this metal efficiently, and it will cause harm to the body. Hence the patients undergoing dialysis are advised to take this contrast agent only when necessary, and the person must undergo dialysis immediately after the MRI scan has been completed. 

5. 5. Risk to pregnant ladies: According to the case studies, no evidence can declare the risk of MRI to pregnant ladies, infants, or fetuses. However, it is advised to avoid this scan during pregnancy, most importantly in the first trimester, because this is the initial period of embryo development.  

6. 6. Risk to claustrophobic people: People with claustrophobia cannot withstand a long time in the MRI machine. Various sedatives and anesthesia are administered to patients with claustrophobic problems. Moreover, they are being acclimatized with processing and machine visualization techniques.
7. 7. Fear not: Try these coping mechanisms while you are on the MRI bed-
8.  

• A. Listen to songs
• B. Watch movies
• C. Cover your eyes
• D. Hold on to a panic button
•  

5 conditions in which you can not eat or drink before MRI

Often, people are allowed to consume food and drinks before MRI scans, but due to some reasons, some patients are advised not to have food or drink before MRI.

1. 1. When your doctor asked for an MRI with an empty stomach
2. 2. Patients with overactive bladder
3. 3. Anxiety medicines or sedatives 
4. 4. Patients with bowel difficulties may suffer from frequent fecal urgency
5. 5. When the patient has esophageal reflux
6.  

OPEN MRI

Specialised open MRI machines are developed that are open from sideways, unlike the tunnel that causes suffocation and anxiety to the patients. Advancements in open MRI over traditional MRI machine:

No Fear of hospital machine stigma: an Open MRI does not surround the patient lying on a bed.

Silent: No unpleasant noises, unlike traditional MRI

No size limitation: As the tunnel MRI is found impractical for oversized people, open MRI has the advantage of accommodating much high range sized people.

Image generation: As compared to traditional MRI latest open MRI are focused on generating high-quality pictures for various MRI scans.

MRI scan cost

MRI Scan Prices in Delhi are provided in the following table:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an MRI scan used for?

MRI diagnostic imaging is carried out for evaluation of the below-given parts of the body:

6. 1. Blood vessels
7. 2. Organs included in the abdominal region
8. 3. Lymph nodes
9. 4. Chest region organs
10. 5. Organs of the pelvic region
11.  

What are the precautions I can take before going for an MRI scan?

1. 1. Take away all the jewellery
2. 2. Do not wear metal stud clothes 
3. 3. Chains, zips, or any kind of accessory in clothing is not allowed
4. 4. Patients must insure that their doctors are aware of their surgical implants, or any type of surgery that may contain some metallic component, before taking an appointment for MRI scan.Various implants are as follows:

• A. Vagus nerve stimulators
• B. Pacemakers
• C. Implantable cardioverter
• D. Loop recorders
• E. Defibrillators
• F. Insulin pumps
• E. Cochlear implants
• F. Deep brain stimulators
• G. Endoscopy capsules 
•  

Is an MRI scan risky?

MRI scan is Not risky until you take enough precautions before entering the MRI room.

1. 1. Metallic objects can become projectiles of strong magnetic fields coming out from built-in powerful magnets in MRI scan 
2. 2. MRI magnetic interactions cause loud noises called beeps.

– wear special devices to protect your ears in MRI Machine

3. 3. Twitching sensations: Alteration in magnetic fields entering the body stimulate nerves resulting in a twitching sensation.
4. 4. Risk due to contrast material: people with kidney failures or people undergoing dialysis find the contrast agents that are gadolinium-based elements quite risky because their kidneys cannot excrete this metal efficiently, and it will cause harm to the body. Hence, the patients undergoing dialysis are advised to take this contrast agent only when necessary, and the person must undergo dialysis immediately after the MRI scan has been completed.

5. 5. Risk to pregnant ladies: According to the case studies, no evidence can declare the risk of MRI to pregnant ladies, infants, or fetuses. However, it is advised to avoid this scan during pregnancy, most importantly in the first trimester, because this is the initial period of embryo development. 

6. 6. Risk to claustrophobic people: People having claustrophobia cannot withstand a long time in an MRI machine. Various sedatives and anesthesia are administered to patients with claustrophobic problems. Moreover, they are being acclimatized with processing and machine visualization techniques.

Fear not: Try these coping mechanisms while you are on the MRI bed-

listen to songs

watch movies

Cover your eyes

Hold on to a panic button

5 conditions in which you can not eat or drink before MRI

Often, people are allowed to consume food and drinks before MRI scans, but due to some reasons, some patients are advised not to have food or drink before MRI.

6. 1. When your doctor asked for an MRI with an empty stomach
7. 2. Patients with overactive bladder
8. 3. Anxiety medicines or sedatives 
9. 4. Patients with bowel difficulties may suffer from frequent fecal urgency
10. 5. When the patient has esophageal reflux

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