MRI of the brain: how is the procedure? How to prepare for MRI of the brain?

Modern medicine, even compared with several years earlier, went far ahead. There are many new diagnostic methods that allow you to quickly and almost accurately diagnose. One such is an MRI. Assign such a diagnosis in many pathologies and conditions, in particular when suspected of brain diseases. What is the MRI of the brain, how the procedure is going and whether it is necessary to prepare for it, we will consider in this article.

What is an MRI?

MRI is the newest method of research, which is able to recognize the slightest changes in the structure of the organs being examined, to reveal not only the pathology in the structure, but also to identify any disease at the very beginning of its development.

The MRI procedure is performed on the basis of the work of the magnet, which is the main part of the scanner apparatus. The operation of the device is based on a physical phenomenon called magnetic resonance. Any studied substance differs in its characteristic structure, which ensures the reception of signals as a result of magnetic resonance.

The amplitude of the incoming signals is a quantitative characteristic of the analysis of information that is obtained as a result of scanning. Each section of the organ under investigation has its own meaning, which indicates the frequency of nuclear magnetic resonance. It is also transformed into a computer tomogram that fixes layerwise sections of the structure of the organ under study.

The operation of the device is based on the action of magnetic fields, which do not pose a threat to human health. The innovative method allows you to obtain by scanning several images in different projections. All images with a high degree of resolution are fixed on electronic media. After careful examination, the doctor gives an opinion.

When is the procedure for MRI of the brain shown?

The attending physician will necessarily send the patient to the MRI procedure of the brain if there are suspicions of pathology or the presence of the disease itself. MRI can detect the following diseases:

• Stroke.
• Hydrocephalus.
• Congenital malformations of the brain.
• Cyst.
• Various neoplasms in the brain.
• Infectious brain pathology.
• Epilepsy.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Pituitary diseases.
• Hemorrhage in various parts of the brain.
• Aneurysm.
• Arterial obstruction.
• Venous thrombosis.
• Diseases of the eyes and the organ of hearing.

The specialists will send the patient to the MRI if it is required to detect abnormalities in the brain that cause confusion or memory problems.

Preparation for the procedure

Consider the MRI of the brain. How does the procedure work? First, you need to find out if you need preparation for the study. As a rule, you do not need to conduct special events, the main thing is to observe certain rules:

• Remove all metal objects, for example, barrettes, earrings, chains, magnetic cards, because they can affect the quality of the pictures.
• If the body has implants, then the radiologist should warn about it.
• Before the procedure, you do not have to cancel taking medications, this does not affect the effectiveness of the study.
• If you ask how the MRI of the brain is done with contrast, the doctor will warn that before the procedure the last meal is not earlier than 6 hours. This should also be adhered to if anesthesia is required.
• Going to the procedure, it is not necessary to take alcohol for courage. Alcohol has a significant effect on metabolic processes in the brain, so the results may not be entirely reliable.

Who is prohibited from entering the scan area?

If there is a metal implant in the body, then the procedure is not prohibited, except for some cases:

• When a patient has a pacemaker or defibrillator.
• With ear implants.
• In the presence of some varieties of metal spirals in the vessels.
• Clamps with an aneurysm.

Be sure to inform the technologist about the availability of electronic or other medical devices. Some of these may pose a potential hazard during the study. These devices include:

• Artificial heart valves.
• Prosthesis joints.
• Nerve stimulators.
• Surgical staples, plates, pins.

Metal objects used in orthopedic practice usually do not pose a danger, but if the prosthesis was delivered quite recently, it is worthwhile to inform the doctor about it. He will tell you how to do MRI of the brain to adults.

How does the procedure work?

This study can be assigned to inpatients and outpatients. In addition, you can get a referral from your local doctor for an MRI of the brain, as the procedure goes, he will also explain. After the patient crosses the threshold of the scan area, he expects the following:

1. The patient will be asked to lie down on the table for scanning. During the procedure it is important to remain stationary, so do not be surprised if the doctor uses belts or rollers.
2. Around the studied part of the body are coils and devices that send and receive radio waves.
3. MRI of the brain as conducted? The photo below shows it. The device is located around the head. The doctor will warn you that you need to lie still.
4. For some, it is unclear how to do MRI of the brain with contrast. But there is nothing complicated, just before the study, the nurse will put a dropper in the vein to introduce a special drug.
5. After all preparations, the patient goes to the very heart of the installation, where the magnet is located.
6. The doctor and nurse leave the room and the scanning process begins.
7. Upon completion of the study, the radiologist will check the image quality, in some cases, an additional scan may be necessary.
8. If a contrast medium is used, the dropper is removed and the patient can leave the scan area.

Duration of the procedure

If an MRI of the brain is prescribed, as the procedure for the time passes, the patient is always interested, especially if there is fear of enclosed space. The duration of the study will depend on the goals that the doctor faces, as well as the method of scanning.

When visualization of the brain structures is carried out in the usual mode, it is sufficient 45 minutes. The study using contrast medium will last for 15 minutes longer.

Now there are tomographs of the latest generation, and the procedure (like the MRI of the brain, the photo shows) will be different, it takes no more than 15 minutes. These are the capabilities of modern equipment.

MRI procedure

After placing the patient on the pull-out table and carrying out all the preparatory procedures, the scanning process begins. In order to obtain clear pictures, the most important thing is to remain motionless all the time. This is sometimes difficult for an adult as well, and what to say about young children. Therefore, parents should know how to make MRI of the brain for children under anesthesia.

During the procedure, the device may make a noise and a little buzz, which may irritate some patients. All the nuances are discussed before the start of the study, so you do not have to re-do the MRI of the brain. How is the procedure, explains the nurse or doctor. If there is a need, then you will have to make anesthesia. Usually the indication to it is not only the children's age, but also the following conditions:

• Panic attacks.
• Disorders of the psyche.
• Propensity to antisocial behavior.
• Severe pain that prevents the patient from lying still.

The scanning procedure will take some time, but simultaneously in the next room the doctor monitors the process and analyzes the resulting images. The radiologist will make a conclusion on the results and send the patient to the treating doctor with him.

Sensations during an MRI of the brain

How is the procedure, the photo shows, but what are the feelings of the patients? For most people, the study passes completely painlessly, but there are also those who note some discomfort or fear of enclosed space.

Sometimes, when performing a scan, heat can be felt, if this fact starts to worry greatly, it is worth informing the doctor. The main thing is to remain still, so that the image is not distorted. Some types of research require breath holding for a short time, do not be afraid of it. The patient, while in the camera, can even feel that the image is made, the device makes knocking sounds.

During the procedure, the patient in the room is alone, but he has the opportunity to communicate with the technologist via two-way communication. Sometimes the doctor allows you to stay in the scan area to parents if the procedure is performed by the child. To reduce the noise from the device, you can ask for earplugs.

Inside the device is well illuminated and ventilated, so in total darkness and without air access there is no risk. Some scanners are even equipped with music, it remains to lie motionless and enjoy.

If the study is carried out using a contrast medium, then during its introduction you can feel:

• Feeling of a rush of blood, but in just a few minutes everything is normal.
• Nausea.
• Pain in the injection site.
• Some may develop an allergic reaction to the substance used in the form of pruritus or urticaria. It is necessary to inform the doctor, and the necessary measures will be taken immediately.

What are the characteristics of MRI in children?

If such a study is necessary for infants, then use magnetocompatible incubators. Finding a baby in such a device does not threaten trouble for his health. The use of a tomograph with a voltage of only 1.5 Tesla makes it possible to obtain high-quality images, which is important for establishing an accurate diagnosis.

The child is assigned a procedure in the following cases:

• To detect violations in the structures of the brain.
• To detect lesions.
• Recognition of tumors.
• For the study of cerebral vessels.
• If you want to study the condition of the ventricles and sinuses of the brain.

Most organs of the child's body can be examined on an open-type tomograph, which makes the procedure for the child more comfortable. But MRI of the brain is carried out only in a closed apparatus, so it is important to ensure a fixed position.

Procedure for children

If the child understands the whole point of the procedure and is not afraid, then he is placed on a pull-out table and sent to the camera of the device for scanning. Previously presented and show how to make an MRI of the brain, photo. And how long this takes, it was already said. In babies this procedure also takes from 30 to 45 minutes.

It is almost impossible for a baby to be immobilized, so anesthesia may be required. After the procedure, the child remains under observation until it completely exits. Parents should not worry, children are using completely safe drugs. If you want to use the drug to improve image quality, the doctor will explain how to do MRI of the brain with contrast to children. The main thing is that the child does not have an allergic reaction to the substance used.

Parents should understand that MRI is almost the most reliable method of research, and the accuracy of the diagnosis plays a big role in the therapy of the child, so do not be afraid of this procedure.

Advantages of MRI

This study is not only a method that allows you to put a 100% accurate diagnosis. It has a lot of advantages:

1. No exposure to radiation.
2. As a result of scanning, clear images are obtained.
3. The method allows to detect pathologies that have not been recognized in other studies.
4. Contrast substance rarely causes allergic reactions, in contrast to those used in radiography.
5. The study allows to identify the stroke at the earliest stage, which gives great advantages in choosing the method of treatment.

Conclusion

Any disease is much easier to cure if detected at an early stage of development. Among a large number of diagnostic methods, not everyone can boast of such safety and quality as MRI. Do not be afraid of the procedure, before visiting the scanning area, the doctor will explain in detail how the procedure is performed and what the patient can feel. The patient only needs to lie still for 40 minutes, but for an adult, should this be a problem? A correctly diagnosed, and even timely - this is half the success on the road to recovery.