MRI

An MRI is a non-invasive and painless procedure in which radio waves and powerful magnets linked to a computer are used to create remarkably clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues without the use of radiation. These pictures show the difference between normal and diseased tissue and enable doctors to determine what the inside of a particular structure looks like. The technique has proven very valuable for the diagnosis of many conditions in all parts of the body including cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke, breast disease, and joint and musculoskeletal disorders.

MRI provides an unparalleled view inside your body. It has become the preferred procedure for diagnosing a large number of potential problems in many different parts of the body. In the head, trauma to the brain can be seen as bleeding or swelling. Other abnormalities often found include brain aneurysms, stroke, tumors of the brain, as well as tumors or inflammation of the spine.

Physicians use an MRI scan not only in defining anatomy but in evaluating the integrity of the spinal cord after trauma. It is also used when considering problems associated with the vertebrae or discs of the spine.