MRI Brain
Understanding MRI Brain
What is MRI Brain?
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Brain test is a highly advanced, non-invasive, painless imaging technique that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create images of the brain and surrounding tissues. MRI brain screening helps diagnose stroke, tumors, injury, and neurological disorders.
The MRI Brain provides insights into brain anatomy and function. There are two types of MRI brain scans: MRI brain plain (without a special dye called contrast), used for detecting structural brain abnormalities, and MRI brain (with contrast) to highlight tumors, infections, or inflammation in the brain.
The MRI brain helps detect several brain conditions, including aneurysms (bulging in the blood vessels of the brain), multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, hydrocephalus (a buildup of spinal fluid in the brain cavities), stroke, infections, tumors, cysts, swelling, hemorrhage, or bleeding, inflammation, problems with development or structure of the brain (such as a Chiari malformation), blood vessel issues or a head injury. Your doctor may also suggest a head MRI to investigate the cause of symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, seizures, changes in thinking or behavior, blurry vision, or chronic headaches. These symptoms may be due to a brain issue, which an MRI scan can help detect.
The MRI scan differs from a CT or an X-ray because it doesn’t use radiation to produce images.
Before undergoing an MRI Brain test, remove metal objects like metallic coins, jewelry, metal wrist watches, metallic keys, dentures, or hearing aids, as the MRI uses strong magnetic fields and can pull on any metallic objects. Wear loose-comfortable clothing without metal fasteners. Inform your doctor about your pregnancy, medical history, allergies, medications, pacemaker, metal implants, etc, before going for an MRI test. If you are either too claustrophobic or overweight to undergo a traditional closed MRI, discuss sedation or open MRI options (Open MRI machines have wider tunnels, which tend to be more tolerable) with your doctor.
Interpretation of test results requires expert guidance. Always consult the doctor for a proper understanding of your test results.
Disclaimer: You must visit your nearest Tata 1mg partnered lab facility for radiology tests.
What is MRI Brain used for?
The MRI Brain test is done:
- To diagnose stroke, brain tumors, cysts, or bleeding.
- To diagnose hydrocephalus (dilatation of fluid spaces within the brain).
- To identify neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease, etc.).
- To detect brain infections (e.g., meningitis, etc.).
- To evaluate brain damage from injury or trauma.
- To investigate the cause of sudden-onset or long-standing symptoms like headaches or migraines, dizziness or balance issues, memory loss, vision changes, hearing loss, weakness, numbness, or paralysis.
- To track the progression of neurological conditions.
- To monitor treatment response.
- To identify aging-related changes (brain volume loss or signal changes in brain tissue).
- As a part of pre-surgical assessment before a brain surgery.
- To investigate developmental or congenital brain abnormalities.
What does MRI Brain measure?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Brain is an imaging procedure that combines a large magnet, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed brain images.
The MRI brain scan measures various aspects of the brain anatomy and function, including brain tissue density and volume, cerebral blood flow and oxygenation, water content and diffusion, white and gray matter integrity, lesions, tumors, or other abnormalities. It also measures brain activity and metabolism, blood-brain barrier integrity, cerebrospinal fluid flow, and dynamics. Additionally, it helps diagnose brain tumors, cysts, abscesses, hemorrhages or infections, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.