MRI Risks / Benefits

Oct.03, 2009 in Technology and Gadgets

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows physicians the opportunity to view your internal structures using a large magnet and radio waves. This amazing medical imaging technology is used to diagnose everything from broken bones, spinal cord injuries and torn ligaments to cancerous tumors, blocked arteries and internal bleeding. During the scan, patients lie on a table, remaining as still as possible, while the machine painlessly generates the images.

MRI scans are considered to pose no short or long term health risks to individuals undergoing the tests. Even so, certain precautions must be taken before entering the magnetic chamber. Individuals with pacemakers may suffer a malfunction caused by the scanner’s magnetic field. Similarly, patients with aneurysm clips may risk dislodging the clip during their scans. Magnetic fields have also been known to damage external hearing aids. Jewelry and metallic shards, like bullet fragments, may change position suddenly, injuring the patient. Despite these minor risks, 10 million patients receive an MRI scan each year, with no adverse effects.

The MRI machine itself looks like a doughnut. The patient lies very still on a table and slides into the opening of the machine. A technologist monitors from another room and communicates with the patient by microphone, if necessary. The machine will then begin whirring and clicking as the magnetic field is generated and radio waves are directed toward the patient’s body. Many patients listen to music on earphones to induce greater relaxation and avoid moving around too much or feeling claustrophobic. Usually an MRI lasts about an hour or so. Sometimes patients need to be administered contrast dye to enhance the appearance of blood vessels or tissues and patients are occasionally sedated. After the test, a radiologist will interpret the test results and issue a report to the patient’s primary medical physicians.

The MRI has been making headlines throughout 2009. On a controversial note, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in May that wearing medicated patches during scans could cause skin irritation. In August, American and Australian researchers warned that an MRI scan may not improve breast cancer outcome because more aggressive surgical care doesn’t necessarily equate with an improved quality of life. Yet, there has also been good medical imaging news as well. In July, Reuters Health reported that MRIs may improve the diagnosis of severe endometriosis, allowing women the option to undergo minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery rather than riskier pelvic surgery. Additionally, an August article reported that a functional MRI might detect early Alzheimer’s.

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