Understanding MRI

Thandiwe Chavula, MBBS, MSc • September 30, 2022

Understanding MRI

What is an MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a common procedure used in hospitals to examine your body organs and tissues. An MRI assists doctors in making a diagnosis or monitoring treatment for different conditions.

The MRI machine is a large tube-shaped structure that produces a strong magnetic field and generates radio waves to create images of body organs and tissues on a computer. The images produced by an MRI are cross-sectional, therefore providing more internal detail especially in solid organs like the heart, kidneys, or liver. MRI images can also be 3-dimensional (3D) in nature, which allows for viewing the tissues from different angles.

Is an MRI Safe?

Unlike other imaging techniques, such as an x-ray or CT scan, an MRI does not use radiation. This makes it a safe procedure with minimal risk of cancer-inducing effects usually associated with radiation. This also makes an MRI safe for pregnant women or children. In addition, an MRI is better at telling the difference between normal and diseased tissue compared to a CT scan or x-ray.

Why do I need an MRI?

There are different reasons that your doctor will request an MRI. Most commonly, an MRI will be used to detect or monitor the presence of disease or tissue injury including the following:

Brain – Hemorrhage (bleeding) due to injury or trauma, brain tumors and masses, infection, inflammation, brain specific changes associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Spine – Deformities, inflammation, collapsed discs, Multiple Sclerosis, injury from trauma
Bones and joints- fractures, inflammation, infection
Abdomen and pelvis – soft tissue inflammation, tumors or masses in the liver, kidney, intestines, bladder, and uterus. Conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis are also detected.
Heart – ischemia, tumors, cardiomyopathy, chest wall abnormalities

MRI is also used for treating certain cancers in a procedure known as MRI-guided radiation therapy.

How do I prepare for an MRI?

In general, an MRI does not require specific or extensive preparation. Unless specified by your doctor, you do not need to fast the day before or day of the procedure, as is sometimes the case before an ultrasound or abdominal x-ray.

Because of the strong magnetic fields produced by the MRI machine, no metal objects or electronic devices should be brought into the room as these will interfere with the images produced and can also be a safety hazard. Objects such as rings, jewelry, watches, and glasses should be removed.

It is important to inform your doctor before the procedure of any metal objects inside your body that could make having an MRI dangerous. Some of these include:

electrical devices such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, insulin pumps
foreign bodies like shrapnel, bone plates and screws, metal prosthetics, metal tooth fillings or implants

What else should I know?

An MRI requires you to lie on a padded table, which then moves into the center of a large enclosed tube-shaped space. If you have issues with claustrophobia, inform your doctor or radiologic technologist so that consideration can be made for mild sedatives.

While the procedure is not painful, you may experience some discomfort if you have some pre-existing back conditions. You will be required to lie still as the images are being taken.

The MRI will produce loud noises, which can be uncomfortable, and you will usually be given earplugs.

To aid with visualizing the images and depending on the reason for the MRI, you may be given an intravenous (IV) contrast dye containing gadolinium. While direct side effects to the dye are minimal, the dye can cause problems if you already have kidney failure or some form of kidney injury. The only scientifically proven adverse effect according to the FDA is a rare condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, which was associated with receiving very high doses of gadolinium in the early 1980-90s.

After the images are taken, the IV will be removed and you will be able to go home right away if the MRI is an outpatient procedure.

Summary

An MRI is a widely used, safe procedure for imaging different tissues and organs that helps your doctor to screen and accurately diagnose conditions such as tumors, infection, or tissue injury.

During the procedure, you will lie still on a table inside a tunnel shaped machine. The scan is not painful, but the MRI machine makes a lot of noise.

Before the MRI, inform your doctor if you have any metal objects or electronic devices in your body such as shrapnel, tooth fillings, pacemakers, or artificial joints. Be sure to remove all metal accessories like jewelry, rings, watches, and glasses.

Sources:

Risk Factors: Radiation - NCI (cancer.gov)

Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)

Gadolinium Side Effects: Toxicity & Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (drugwatch.com)

Gadolinium Contrast Medium (MRI Contrast agents) - InsideRadiology

MRI-LINAC: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Linear Accelerator – Brigham and Women’s Hospital (brighamandwomens.org)

Endometriosis | NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (nih.gov)

Multiple Sclerosis | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (nih.gov)

Author Bio:

Thandiwe Chavula, MBBS, MSc is a medical doctor and an Immunologist, currently training for a PhD at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Her background is in clinical medicine in her home country Malawi. Over the last 6-7 years, her focus and interest has been on translational medical research in autoimmune diseases like Lupus. She works with patient samples and animal models of lupus to further understand disease pathogenesis and discover new treatment targets.

Thank you for reading Patient Education Essentials, the Write Shift RN blog.

Disclaimer: This article was written as a guest post for Write Shift RN LLC's blog. The information in it may not be wholly fact-checked or edited, allowing the reader to see the writer's work and skills firsthand. This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers about any questions or concerns you may have regarding medical conditions.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Steroid Injections vs. PRP

By Kristina Van Winkle • October 7, 2024

A Comparative Overview for Pain Management Steroid injections and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are two commonly used pain management treatments. While both aim to alleviate pain and promote healing, they have different mechanisms of action and long-term effects . What Are Steroid Injections ? Corticosteroids are potent drugs used extensively across various medical fields to manage a broad spectrum of conditions, making them one of the most widely prescribed drug classes in the world. They can be administered via nearly every route, including direct injection into painful or inflamed joints. "Corticosteroids" typically refers to the class of drugs that produce glucocorticoid effects. Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that regulate numerous physiologic processes within the body. They have vasoconstrictive, immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory effects and play a role in metabolism. What do steroid injections treat? Corticosteroids function by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation within the body. They inhibit the production of the body's pro-inflammatory chemicals, leading to decreased inflammation and, consequently, pain. They are prescribed for hundreds of medical conditions, including: Allergic and autoimmune disorders Adrenocortical secretion disorders Infections and inflammation Pathologic hypoglycemia Organ and graft rejections Neurological disorders Hypercalcemia Blood disorders Skin disorders Shock What are the side effects of steroid injections? Although steroids are known to some as “wonder drugs,” they impact various bodily systems, including metabolism, water and electrolyte balance, the central nervous system, and blood cells. As a result, they are associated with many adverse side effects, especially when administered in large doses or over extended periods. Adverse effects may occur in up to 90% of individuals who take them for longer than sixty days. These side effects may include: Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis Gastrointestinal disturbances Osteoporosis and fractures Psychiatric disturbances Carpal tunnel syndrome Cardiovascular disease Immunosuppression Cushingoid features Hyperglycemia Skin disorders Glaucoma Myopathy Cataracts Diabetes The risk of adverse side effects is particularly high when taken systemically. However, side effect occurrences vary when administered as local injections for pain management. Data indicates that steroid injections into joints and the spine can produce systemic effects that can last for weeks. When assessing the risk factors associated with steroid injections, healthcare providers must consider all types and doses of steroids the person is taking, including both oral and injectable forms. Additionally, special caution is advised for certain populations, such as those who may undergo surgery soon, postmenopausal women, and individuals with diabetes. What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) ? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use an individual's own blood to promote cellular regeneration. Through the extraction and reinjection of platelets, growth factors, and other bioactive proteins from the person's blood, PRP therapy offers long-lasting improvements, sustained pain relief, and enhanced tissue function. What do PRP injections treat? PRP injections can stimulate healthy cell growth, reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, form new blood vessels, rejuvenate the skin and hair, and accelerate recovery after a traumatic injury. It can treat a wide range of conditions, including: Pain resulting from traumatic injury or degenerative conditions such as arthritis and chronic back pain Musculoskeletal conditions Tendinopathies and tears Compressive neuropathy Scars and stretch marks Osteochondral lesions Rheumatoid arthritis Erectile dysfunction Muscular injuries Plantar fasciitis Vaginal atrophy Osteoarthritis Epicondylitis Infertility Psoriasis Wounds Bursitis Vitiligo What are the side effects of PRP? Since PRP is derived from the person's own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or rejection is significantly lower compared to other injectables, such as steroids. PRP typically does not cause major side effects, though you may experience some soreness or bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, potential side effects may include: Tissue damage Nerve injuries Bleeding Infection Comparison of Steroid Injections and PRP Injections A study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research compared steroid injections with PRP injections in patients with mild to moderate symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The findings indicated that both treatments were safe and effective in improving short-term pain and functioning, with no significant differences observed. However, PRP therapy demonstrated superior outcomes in the long term, with benefits extending up to one year. Additionally, a literature review in Cureus Journal of Medical Science analyzed multiple studies comparing steroid injections with PRP in lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy. The review found that PRP was equally as effective, if not superior, to steroid injections in the short term. Neither treatment was associated with major complications, and there were no significant differences in minor complications between the two. The review concluded that both PRP and steroid injections are safe and effective for treating lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy, with some evidence that PRP may offer more benefits in the long term. Research has confirmed that both steroid and PRP therapy are valuable options for pain management and tissue healing. Steroid injections offer potent anti-inflammatory benefits that can provide immediate relief. However, their systemic side effects and limited duration of efficacy should be carefully considered, especially in high-risk populations. While PRP may take longer to show results, its long-term benefits make it an increasingly popular choice for treating various conditions. Ultimately, the choice between these treatments should be based on the specific needs of the individual patient, with careful attention to the patient's medical history. Thank you for reading the Write Shift RN blog. If you need an experienced RN writer for your health or healthcare educational content, contact me !