What Is the MRI - Essay Example

MRI Brochure A to parents and carers It is suggested that parents and children study the brochure before coming for an MRI scan. Reading the brochure makes the children prepared for the examination and thus they accept the examination requirements. Children remain calmer during the examination and behave accordingly if they bring their favourite toys, pillows or blankets with them. If a child listen some favourite music, parents are advised to bring CDs or Players with them as it provides comfort during examination. In case of any apprehensions about the procedure, it is advised to discuss it with the Radiographer a technologist trained in medical imaging) or Radiologist (a doctor who specialises in medical imaging). What is the MRI? / The MRI scanner: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces detailed images of the body’s internal organs and problems associated with the organs. It is procedure that has typically no side effects and cast images with no fear of pain. The process uses magnetised radio radiations and draws the images when the waves reflect back to the scanner. It is different from the CT scan or CAT scan. An MRI scanner is composed of two donut shaped tubes that are joined by a hollow tunnel that holds a person. The donut shaped tubes produce powerful magnetized radiation. A sliding table holds patients and it slides into the tunnel of the scanner. However, some MRI centres have MRI scanner with larger openings to hold patients that are suffering from claustrophobia. Most hospitals now have MRI scanners; while dedicated MRI centres are also opened for the ease of patients. The MRI scanner generates powerful magnetic waves that interact with the atoms of the patient’s body. During interaction the magnetic waves makes the atoms of body to be in particular pattern. The pattern is observed by the powerful antenna and sent to the computed that draws an image with respect to the observed pattern. Computer converted image both in 2d and 3d formats. The results are viewed by the physician to diagnose the problem. What do I bring? Kindly bring photocopies of referral letter along with you, if you have. Kindly bring other examination reports like X-ray, Ultra sound, CT scans, Nuclear Medicine Scans or previous MRI scan reports along with you, if you can. This may help the physician to make comparison between the reports. Parents are advised to bring, child’s favourite music, blanket, pillows or toys along with them. Children can listen to favourite music during examination with the aid of headphones. Home Preparation Kindly follow the physician’s instruction before coming for MRI scan. Physician may instruct what to avoid and what to do before coming for the MRI scan. What is the preparation for an MRI? Kindly do not let your child to wear any type of metallic jewellery like chins, hair clips or rings as metals may disrupt the magnetic resonance waves. Check you child carefully before the examination begins. If the child’s physician recommends using dye to clarify the results, be sure that child’s takes nothing by mouth (NBM) several hours before the examination. Your child’s physician gives you certain set of intrusions for the examination. If your child is allergic to iodine or if they have had a reaction previously to a MRI dye. Kindly inform the physician about the concerns. In case, if the child’s id allergic to seafood or had any other type of allergic reaction, kindly discuss it with the physician. If your teenage daughter has relationships or has a boyfriend, kindly discuss the issue with the physician so that doctor may test for pregnancy prior to the examination. The examination may have time duration of about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the procedures, thus children are given mild sedatives to reduce excitement during the procedure. Parents re allowed to remain in the MRI room till the child sleeps; however, the parents are advised to stay near the MRI room in another room during the examination. Both parents are also allowed to stay in that room. Procedure MRI examination has a minimum time duration of 20 minutes and maximum duration of about 90 minutes. The time taken by the procedure depends on the type of type of observation being studied. A movable table is designed to carry the child into the scanned in lying position. A machine technician will place the child accordingly and takes the images regarding the type of study conducted. A Parent’s Role during the Scan Parents’ support is necessary for the examination. Parents are welcomed during the examination to help the doctor or the physician to satisfy the child requirements but when parents are advised for limited exposure, they must follow the doctor’s instructions. Parents and adults are advised to remain in a separate room during the examination. In case, if child needs sedation, parents should remain in the premises to sign the consent form to give the sedation in need. Will I need to have an injection? Most MRI examinations are done without any type of injections or medicines but, if doctor recommends including some dye, it is given with the aid of an injection. However, parents are informed but the injections before the examination. What happens after a procedure? After the MRI procedures are done, a report is either given to the parents or directly sent the consultant doctor. This procedure would take up to 48 hours. Parents should allow the children to carry on daily activities immediately after the test unless restricted by the doctor. If doctor advised to give anaesthesia to the child before the test, the child should be taken ward to recover. Child may feel drowsy after several hours of examination. It can be reduced by giving him fluid died. Dye will remove from the body when child urinates. Is an MRI dangerous? MRI examination is a safe procedure as compared to X-rays and CT scan, as both X-rays and CT scan utilize nuclear radiations to carry the examination. It uses a resonant magnetic field to align the atoms of the body. However, in case of any metallic implants, the examination can not be done. In cases like heart pacemaker, inner ear implant, brain aneurysm clip, etc, this procedure is not recommended. Kindly notify the doctor and technician if you have any implants. Why Its Done MRI casts clear images of the body in case of various body problems. It can scan the problems in brain, spinal cord, skeleton, chest, lungs, abdomen, pelvis, wrists, hands, ankles, and feet. In most case the images are clearer as compared to that of X-rays, Ultrasound and CT scan. In particular cases of eyes, ears, heart, and circulatory system MRI examination is the best diagnostic procedure. The tendency of the MRI examination to case the images of soft tissues provides an ease to diagnose the problems in the joints, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. MRI examinations can detect the inflammatory tissues and tumours. Risks MRI diagnostic examination is risk free and no study found it harmful for human health. The magnetised radio frequency it uses is very low to disrupt the functionality of the body systems. It has no side effects till date and may be repeated several times when required or advised by the doctor. It you or your child has any issue with the sedation consult with the doctor to have a better opinion. Some children may have allergies regarding any particular chemical ingredient of the dye or the sedation. If child is suffering from any kidney problem discuss it with the doctor so that doctor may restrict the use of IV contrast as it can lead towards complication. References Basser, P. and Pierpaoli, C. (1996). Microstructural and physiological features of tissues elucidated by quantitative-diffusion-tensor MRI. Journal of Magnetic Resonance, Series B, 111(3), pp.209--219. Heilbrun, M., Sunderland, P., McDonald, P., Wells Jr, T., Cosman, E. and Ganz, E. (1987). Brown-Roberts-Wells stereotactic frame modifications to accomplish magnetic resonance imaging guidance in three planes.Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, 50(1-6), pp.143--152. Hollingworth, W., Todd, C., Bell, M., Arafat, Q., Girling, S., Karia, K. and Dixon, A. (2000). The diagnostic and therapeutic impact of MRI: an observational multi-centre study. Clinical radiology, 55(11), pp.825--831. MedicineNet, (2014). MRI: Get the Facts and Risks of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. [online] Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/mri_scan/article.htm [Accessed 31 Oct. 2014]. Smith-Bindman, R., Miglioretti, D., Johnson, E., Lee, C., Feigelson, H., Flynn, M., Greenlee, R., Kruger, R., Hornbrook, M., Roblin, D. and others, (2012). Use of diagnostic imaging studies and associated radiation exposure for patients enrolled in large integrated health care systems, 1996-2010. Jama, 307(22), pp.2400--2409. Webmd.com, (2014). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). [online] Available at: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri [Accessed 31 Oct. 2014]. Read More