Magnetic Resonance Imaging | MRI

MaineHealth offers the most advanced diagnostic imaging tools, including MRIs. Our skilled technicians will guide you through the process and our board-certified radiologists will review the results.

What is an MRI?

An MRI makes detailed images of your organs, tissues and bones. It is used frequently to evaluate problems of the brain and spine. MRI is also are used to diagnose problems of the:

  • Heart and blood vessels
  • Breasts
  • Liver, kidneys and other internal organs
  • Bones and joints

Magnetic resonance imaging uses a large magnet to create high-tech images. An MRI is able to show problems that cannot be seen using other imaging tools.

MRI risks

MRIs are safe. There are no known risks to having an MRI. But patients with the following conditions may be advised not to have an MRI:

  • Pacemakers, infusion pumps or any medical device using electronics;
  • Medical devices containing metal.
  • Obesity. A very large patient may not be able to fit inside a standard MRI machine.
  • An MRI can burn the skin if you’re wearing a medicine patch.

Talk to your provider ahead of time about your concerns or questions.

During the MRI test

An MRI does not hurt. An MRI machine can be noisy. The patient lies down on a table that slides into the opening of a tube that is the MRI machine. The patient is asked to lie very still during the test. During the scan, the magnet makes repeated tapping and thumping noises. This is normal. Patients may be given earplugs or be able to listen to music. This is a way to block the noise of the MRI machine. Patients may be given a sedative to relax them, if they have trouble lying still. The results of an MRI often are available after a few days. This gives time for the radiologist to review the test and share the results with your doctor.

 

Examples of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A cardiac magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) test, also known as a “cardiac MRI” uses a big magnet and radio waves to see your blood vessels. Dye may be also be used during this procedure.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to take pictures of the head. In many cases, MRI gives information that can't be seen on an X-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan.

For an MRI of the head, you lie with your head inside a special machine (scanner) that has a strong magnet. The MRI can show tissue damage or disease, such as infection or inflammation, or a tumor, stroke, or seizure. Information from an MRI can be saved and stored on a computer for more study. Photographs or films of certain views can also be made.

In some cases, a dye (contrast material) may be used during the MRI to show pictures of structures more clearly. The dye may help show blood flow, look for some types of tumors, and show areas of inflammation.

An MRI of the head may be used to look for the cause of headaches.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test done with a large machine that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the belly. In many cases MRI gives information about structures in the body that cannot be seen as well with an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan.

For an MRI test, you are placed inside the magnet so that your belly is inside the strong magnetic field. MRI can find changes in the structure of organs or other tissues. It also can find tissue damage or disease, such as infection or a tumor. Pictures from an MRI scan are digital images that can be saved and stored on a computer for further study. The images also can be reviewed remotely, such as in a clinic or an operating room. Photographs or films of selected pictures can also be made.

In some cases, contrast material may be used during the MRI scan to show certain structures more clearly in the pictures. The contrast material may be used to check blood flow, find some types of tumors, and show areas of inflammation or infection.

Although MRI is a safe and valuable test for looking at structures and organs inside the body, it is more expensive than other imaging methods and may not be available in all medical centers.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio waves to make pictures of the breast. It does not use X-rays. MRI may show problems in the breast that can't be seen on a mammogram, ultrasound, or CT scan.

The MRI makes pictures that show your breast's normal structure; tissue damage or disease, such as infection; inflammation; or a lump. MRI is better than mammography or ultrasound for looking at some breast lumps.

In most cases, a dye (contrast material) may be used so that abnormalities can be seen more clearly from normal breast tissue. The contrast material makes it easier to find problems with increased or abnormal blood flow, such as with some types of cancer or areas of inflammation.

MRI is a safe and valuable test for looking at the breast. But it has a high rate of false-positive results. It also costs more than other methods. And it's not available in all hospitals.

An abbreviated breast MRI is a newer test that takes less time than a standard MRI. (You might hear it called a "fast MRI.") This test is something your breast cancer screening center may offer. As a newer test, an abbreviated breast MRI may not be covered by insurance.

An MRI is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the spine. In many cases, an MRI gives different information than an X-ray, an ultrasound, or a CT scan. An MRI also may show problems that can't be seen with other imaging tests.

For an MRI, your body is placed inside a machine that contains a strong magnet. Pictures from an MRI can be saved and stored on a computer for further study. In some cases, a contrast material may be used during the MRI to show certain parts of the body more clearly.

The MRI can find changes in the spine and in other tissues. It also can find problems such as infection or a tumor. MRI can look at the spine in the neck (cervical), upper back (thoracic), or lower back (lumbosacral). The entire spine can be seen in one series of pictures to find a tumor. More detailed pictures of one area, such as the lumbar spine, may be taken.

MRI may be used to check low back problems.

A magnetic resonance cholangiogram (MRC) is a test that can help doctors look for problems in the belly. The image is done from outside the body. No instruments are inserted in the body.

Doctors can use MRC to find gallstones before surgery to remove the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). But the test is most useful for diagnosing complications of gallstones. These include obstruction of the bile duct, perforation of the gallbladder, and abscesses.