Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of your head, body, muscles and blood flow. Because an MRI provides a clear view of internal organs and tissues, it helps physicians diagnose injuries and other health conditions much faster than with other technologies. For patients who have pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators, a computed tomography (CT) scan may be a safer imaging tool. (The devices may malfunction during an MRI scan).

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce highly detailed images of your anatomy. MRI creates better soft-tissue scans than x-rays and is most commonly used to image the brain, spine, upper and lower extremities, organs in the chest and abdomen, blood vessels, muscles, and ligaments.

Because MRI can give such clear images of soft-tissue structures near and around bones, it is the most sensitive exam for spinal and joint conditions. MRI is extensively used to diagnose sports-related injuries, especially those affecting the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, and wrist. The images allow the physician to see even very small tears and injuries to ligaments and muscles.

In addition, MRI of the heart, aorta, coronary arteries, and blood vessels is a fast, noninvasive tool for diagnosing coronary artery disease and heart problems. Physicians can examine the size and thickness of the chambers of the heart, and determine the extent of damage caused by a heart attack or progressive heart disease.