MRI Scan

-Abby Hertgen

About: Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a type of medical scan which uses magnetic fields and radio waves in order to see organs inside the body and can show ligaments, muscles and nerve roots. MRI's are performed by radiologists in order to determine a medical diagnosis for their patients ( https://medlineplus.gov/mriscans.html ). These procedures are non-evasive and pain-free, but of course risks exposure to radiation. The scan can be useful for radiologists to read to detect tumors, trauma to the brain, strokes, dementia, infection, torn ligaments or even causes of headaches.

How it works: MRI's use large magnets to create a strong magnetic field which forces the protons in the body to align with that field. Then, a radio frequency is pulsed through the body while the patient in the scanner in order to stimulate the protons, which spin out of equilibrium due to their reaction of straining against the pull of the magnetic field. Once the pulse of radio frequency is turned off, the sensors in the MRI are able to detect the energy released as a result of the protons realigning with their magnetic field in order to produce three dimensional detailed anatomical images. Before the scan, patients are often given contrast agents, like iodine or Gadolinium, in order to increase the speed of how the protons will realign with the magnetic field, because the faster the realignment, the brighter the image ( https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri ).