Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Diagnosis and Treatment of Various Diseases

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Using this technique, the doctors are able to visualize detailed internal structure of the human body. MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. In this imaging technique, ionizing radiation is not used.

Detailed images produced by this technique help doctors to determine the presence of certain diseases that may not be assessed properly with other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging produces much greater contrast between the different soft tissues of the body as compared to computed tomography, thereby making it extremely useful in neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and oncological imaging.

MR imaging of the body is performed to evaluate breasts, blood vessels, organs of the chest and abdomen and pelvic organs. Doctors can evaluate the heart, liver, biliary tract, kidneys, spleen, bowel, pancreas, adrenal glands and reproductive organs including prostate and testicles in male and uterus, cervix and ovaries in females.

Doctors using MRI imaging technique to diagnose or monitor treatment for conditions such as:


Tumors of the chest, abdomen or pelvis
Heart problems
Blockages or enlargements of blood vessels, including the aorta, renal arteries, and arteries in the legs
Diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, and that of other abdominal organs, including the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreatic ducts
Diseases of the small intestine, colon, and rectum
Cysts and solid tumors in the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract
Tumors and other abnormalities of the reproductive organs
Causes of pelvic pain in women
Suspected uterine congenital abnormalities in women undergoing evaluation for infertility
Breast cancer and implants


Although MRI is an expensive imaging technique and takes more time to perform as compared to  other imaging modalities, the high quality images produced makes it an extremely accurate method for detection of various diseases.