Chest MRI

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MRI scans

Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)

Nuclear magnetic resonance - chest; Magnetic resonance imaging - chest; NMR - chest; MRI of the thorax

There is no ionizing radiation involved in MRI. To date, there have been no documented significant side effects of the magnetic fields and radio waves used on the human body during an MRI scan.

The most common MR intravenous contrast agent, gadolinium, is very safe, and although there have been documented allergic reactions to it, it is an extremely rare occurrence. However, gadolinium should not be given if you are pregnant because of potential harm to the fetus.

If sedation is used, there are associated risks of over-sedation. The technologist monitors the patient's vital signs, including heart rate and breathing as needed.

People have been harmed in MRI machines when they did not remove metal objects from their clothes or when metal objects were left in the room by others.

MRI is more accurate than CT scan or other tests for certain conditions, but less accurate for others. The disadvantages include the high cost, long duration of the scan, and sensitivity to movement. People with claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), or people who are confused or anxious, may have difficulty lying still for the relatively long scan times.

MRI is not portable and is incompatible with some metallic implants, life support-devices, traction apparatus, and similar equipment.

MRI is a superior technique in most cases where telling differences in soft tissues is necessary. It can show organs without blockage by bone and foreign bodies. It can show the tissues from multiple viewpoints and is a noninvasive way to evaluate blood flow. Currently, MRI is not valuable in the evaluation of slight changes of the lung tissue, since the lungs contain mostly air and are difficult to image.

Review Date: 10/25/2006
Reviewed By: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.