Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.
An MRI scan can be used to examine almost any part of the body, including the brain and spinal cord, ones and joints, breasts, heart and blood vessels, and internal organs, such as the liver, heart or prostate gland.
The results of an MRI scan can be used to help diagnose conditions, plan treatments and assess how effective previous treatment has been.
An MRI scan can help assess virtually any part of the body. Common reasons include:
- Knee – MRIs of the knee are helpful to find any related injuries to the bone, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons.
- Spine – this detects other possible causes of back pain such as slipped disc, nerve root compression fracture and discitis.
- Hip – this can reveal fraying or tears of the cartilage and labrum. It can also detect the early findings of arthritis.
- Prostate – this may be used in various clinical scenarios, including primary screening and active surveillance.
- Brain – brain MRIs are done to exclude serious causes of headaches and migraines or one-sided deafness.
- Wrist – this allows for accurate identification of evaluation of a variety of traumatic injuries, arthropathies and wrist pain.