MRI

Overview

• MRI means ‘magnetic resonance imaging’
• It's a powerful diagnostic tool using a strong magnetic field to produce high-quality, soft tissue contrast images in multiple planes
• Images are generated using a superconducting magnet and pulsed radio waves
• MRI has become the preferred investigation choice and is applicable for use in all areas of the body
• In particular, its use for imaging neurological and musculoskeletal structures has a central use in primary care
• Click here to watch a quick overview video that's aimed at patients

Cardiac MRI

• Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging is an advanced version of MRI
• It uses exceptionally fast gradient systems so that moving organs, such as the heart, can be imaged very quickly
• This modality has been proven to offer valuable information for a wide range of cardiac conditions, in particular, improving the diagnosis of congenital heart disease
• Since the technical performance of these scanners is so powerful, it's an excellent diagnositc tool for other clinical specialities including orthopaedics, neurology and all abdominal imaging

Is it safe?

• MRI has been in use since 1979 and has the major advantage of not using ionising radiation (x-rays)
• There are no known serious side effects
• However, as a scanner contains a powerful magnet, MRI must not be performed on patients with metal implants in their bodies
• Patients with the following types of devices should be made known to the MRI staff immediately:
  • a cardiac pacemaker
  • a cochlear implant
  • other electro-mechanical devices used for drug delivery systems
  • surgical clips
  • certain types of metal artificial heart valves
• We'll also need to know if the patient is pregnant or may be pregnant
• Patients who may have metal fragments in the eyes due to a penetrating injury or from working with metal at high speed will be given an X-ray to ensure there are no particles still remaining. This is because the MRI magnet can ‘pull’ small metal fragments - regardless of the elapsed time since any metal related injury may have occurred - and these fragments can remain unchanged in the body for years

Where can I find information for my patient?

• Our patient area has comprehensive and easy to understand information on the procedure - you can access this here

Care pathways

• We've put together a useful collection of straightforward, single-page diagrams illustrating typical diagnostic care pathways - please click to view and download:
  
  
  • Headache
  • Knee pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Head scan
  • Hip joint
  • Lower back pain

Case studies

Click to view

• MRI
  • Back - spinal dysiphism diastematomyelia
  • Brain - middle cerebral artery aneurysm
  • Breast - silicone leak
  • Hip - bilateral avascular necrosis
• Cardiac MRI
  • Carotid arteries - contrast enhanced MRI

How do I refer my patient?

• Referring your patient is an easy, two-step process:
  
  
  • Step 1: select your preferred imaging centre
  • Step 2: complete and return the relevant referral form
• And, if you have any questions, just contact our dedicated Patient Management Centre on 0845 045 0600, we'd be glad to help

Videos from AMTV

Learn more

• MRI Frequently Asked Questions - detailed answers to your common questions
• What do the images look like? Take a look at some sample images here
• AMTV: Professional Channel - browse our clinicians' video gallery here
• Scan Dictionary - an A-Z of common terms
• Refer your patient - find out more here
• Find your location - find your location here
• 18 week pathway support - learn more about this here
• Clinical Governance and Assurance - learn more here
• Got a question, query or concern? Just contact us, we'd be delighted to help