Magnetic resonance imaging: for whom and why

New modern methods of research to help accurately diagnose and plan to establish the correct treatment.

One of the most effective methods is an MRI - magnetic resonance imaging. MRI - it is one of the best and most accurate ways to diagnose pathology in the soft tissues of the body. Yet there are contraindications to undergo this procedure. However, progress does not stand still, and that number every year is getting smaller.

Year of foundation magnetic rezonanskoy tomography in medical circles, is considered to be 1973rd, and this despite the fact that in 1960 the Soviet scholar V. Ivanov proposed a method and apparatus for tomographic method for studying the internal organs and tissues using nuclear magnetic resonance - NMR tomography. As a result, the inventors of MRI officially became Peter Mansfield and Paul Loterbur who received for his contributions to science in the 2003 Nobel Prize in medicine. Apart from these, a significant contribution to the development of MRI has made Damadyan Raymond, who studied the principles of operation and created the first commercial MRI scanner (who also holds a patent on MRI).

By the way, his final title was reserved for an MRI since 1986, after the Chernobyl disaster: then evolved in humans radiophobia made it extremely difficult to use the word "nuclear" in the name of the medical device. But in any case it does not negate the very essence of the method in the staff of MRI radiofrequency coils pick up the special response of the nuclei of hydrogen atoms in the body, in a special combination of electromagnetic waves in a constant magnetic field of high tension. Unlike computed tomography and conventional X-rays, MRI uses no ionizing radiation, which can lead to the formation of free radicals, causing massive loss of cells.
Why use MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging is mainly used for the diagnosis of changes in soft tissues. In addition, this research method to visualize the brain and spinal cord and other internal organs with the highest quality, inaccessible to X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan. MRI plays an important role in early detection, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and conditions such as cancer, neurological disorders or injuries of the locomotor apparatus. The most common use of MRI - to examine the spine and central nervous system. The method allows to accurately assess the structure of the bodies, identify disease, tumors, traumatic changes, and so on. In addition, MRI is widely used in Angiology, oncology, urology and other fields of medicine.

Head of the laboratory of social and economic risk analysis HNIZ, Chairman of the Working Group of Cardiology of young Russian Scientific Society of Cardiologists End AV said that an MRI - is a modern high-tech diagnostic method, which allows you to look inside the human body and identify a range of diseases, including cancer. Most importantly, this method can be applied at the earliest stages of the disease when treatment is effective.

In addition to the study of internal organs and soft tissues, this method allows non-invasive diagnosis - that is, without intervention - to investigate organ function: measure the speed of current of cerebrospinal fluid, blood flow, determine the level of Diffusion in the tissues, to track the activation of the cerebral cortex, and much more. It turns out that for one MRI can clarify several aspects of human health. During the passage of an MRI patient in a horizontal position is placed in a narrow tunnel (pipe) with a strong magnetic field for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the type of research. The patient must maintain complete immobility of the body parts which are subject to inspection.

The procedure is painless, but is accompanied by a loud noise, to reduce the discomfort that patients are often offered headphones. By the way, in order to pass magnetic resonance imaging, the patient does not need special training. He can continue to use any drugs, do not limit themselves in eating and drinking, as well as other medical procedures take place. Only the examination of the pelvic organs to take care of filling the bladder. But before examining the head, women's better not to apply make-up, as the shadow, mascara and other cosmetics may interfere with obtaining high-quality images, and thereby reduce the accuracy of the procedure. In addition, the patient is important to provide all the previous data on the ultrasound and MRI studies - then the specialist will be easy to trace the dynamics of change.

Contraindications for using MRI

But, unfortunately, not all patients can use this method of diagnosis, since there are a number of absolute and relative contraindications. For example, a completely non-pass magnetic resonance imaging in the presence of the established pacemaker, metal implants and various metal fragments in the body. At the same time relative contraindications are insulin pumps, nerve stimulators, various non-ferromagnetic implants and prostheses, pregnancy, claustrophobia and the need for physiological monitoring.

If we talk about patients with pacemakers, the MRI would be very useful for them in terms of studying the state. On doctors' estimates, about 50-75% of patients worldwide were living with implanted pacemakers, one way or another in need of an MRI scan during the lifetime of the device. Thus in 2010 appeared the first and only worldwide pacemaker manufactured by Medtronic with a unique technology that allows the passage of magnetic resonance imaging. This was achieved through the modification and improvement of the internal circuitry system and reduce the number of ferromagnetic components. To date, the new pacemaker can already run a full examination by MRI more than 13 000 patients worldwide, and in June 2011 announced the release of this system is pacing the Russian market.

With regard to pregnant women, to date, experts gathered insufficient evidence that MRI is completely safe for the fetus. But, doctors say, is preferable to MRI imaging and computed tomography, and yields more information than by ultrasound. In addition, the relative restriction to the passage of magnetic resonance imaging may be the presence of tattoos, made with pigments containing metal compounds, including compounds based on titanium (eg titanium dioxide), though in itself is not ferromagnetic titanium and virtually safe MRI.

There is also a psychological problem due to the fact that the procedure takes place in a narrow space, people with even a mild form of claustrophobia, may experience severe discomfort. However, today there is less bulky machines MRI with a wider aperture, and the time of the procedure is reduced. Also, there are open sets and apparatus in which a patient can undergo research standing. But, experts say, the quality of the results obtained is inferior to traditional methods. So, sometimes for the full and effective investigation used a local or full anesthesia, especially for infants and young children who can not remain immobile during the procedure.