Essay Example on The Basic Concepts of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Mansfield developed a rapid imaging technique named echo planar imaging MRI operates with strong magnetic fields radio waves and a computer monitor to produce a very detailed image of the internal view of the body These images then help doctors or physicians diagnose or monitor treatments for a patient s conditions within the thoracic abdominal and pelvic area from torn ligaments to tumors It can even be used to monitor fetus in the womb of a pregnant woman Before any surgical procedures are to be performed MRI scans are used to not only determine the anatomy of any part of the body but also evaluating the integrity of the spinal cord after trauma As like any other imaging techniques there are advantages and disadvantages Using an MRI which is painless has the advantage of avoiding exposure to X Ray radiation Another advantage of MRI is the preciseness and exactness in detecting the structural abnormalities or deformity of the body Like the ups and the good in life there is also the down and bad of all times Disadvantages of MRI scans can befall to patients who have metallic materials within the body Therefore patients who has such elements within their body must give inform to their doctor prior to the examination Any metallic materials such as surgical clips artificial joints bone plates or prosthetic devices etc can affect the imagery obtained significantly 

Patients who have had any insertion heart pacemakers or any metallic implants in their body must not go through an MRI scan because of the high risk of the magnet moving the metal in the areas these devices or metallic plates are located According to the database of the U S Food and Drug Administration FDA and Medical Device Reporting MDR several incidents involving MRI have been reported where one of it was as follows A patient with an implanted intracranial aneurysm clip died as a result of an attempt to scan her The clip reportedly shifted when exposed to the magnetic field The staff apparently had obtained information indicating that the material in this clip could be scanned safely 1992 Another disadvantage happening to patients who suffers claustrophobia since during MRI scans patients lie in a closed area inside the magnetic tube In conclusion the invention of MRI scanners were used for the detection of irregularities in the interior body structures used by the chemical and physical sector of the medical field It was built for its precision and accuracy of the image produced but like all great inventions there are flaws where the magnetic field may distort any metallic or magnetic device implanted in the human body References The History of MRI n d Retrieved January 16 2018 from http web2 uwindsor ca courses physics high_schools 2006 Medical_Imaging mrihistory html MRI Uses Definition of Magnetic Resonance Imaging n d Retrieved January 16 2018 from https www medicinenet com mri_scan article htm MRI n d Retrieved January 16 2018 from https www cancerquest org index php patients detection and diagnosis magnetic resonance imaging mri Magnetic Resonance Imaging Health Effects and Safety PDF 2003 October 22 University of Malaya Department of Radiology Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI 2017 February 02 Retrieved January 16 2018 from https www nibib nih gov science education science topics magnetic resonance imaging mri