Is there an alternative to an MRI scan?

A CT scan may be recommended if a patient can't have an MRI. People with metal implants, pacemakers or other implanted devices shouldn't have an MRI due to the powerful magnet inside the machine. CT scans create images of bones and soft tissues.

Can you have a CT scan instead of a MRI?

They have similar uses but produce pictures in different ways. CT scans use X-rays while MRI scans use strong magnets and radio waves. A CT scan is generally good for larger areas, while an MRI scan produces a better overall image of the tissue under examination. Both have risks but are relatively safe procedures.

What to do if you are claustrophobic and need an MRI?

Is a PET scan better than an MRI?

MRI scans, note that both can detect diseases and abnormalities. However, PET scans can show how your body performs at the cellular level. On the other hand, PET scans include radiation. MRI scans don't expose you to harmful radiation, which can be preferable for certain patients and annual scans.

What test is better than an MRI?

CT scans are more widely used than MRIs and are typically less expensive. MRIs, however, are thought to be superior in regards to the detail of the image. The most notable difference is that CT scans use X-rays while MRIs do not.

Is It DANGEROUS to Get an MRI??!!

Why would a doctor recommend a PET scan?

Your doctor may order a PET scan to inspect your blood flow, your oxygen intake, or the metabolism of your organs and tissues. PET scans show problems at the cellular level, giving your doctor the best view of complex systemic diseases. PET scans are most commonly used to detect: cancer.

What's the best drug for claustrophobia in a MRI?

If you're very claustrophobic, or have had a previous experience not tolerating an MRI scan, let your doctor know and they can prescribe a sedative like Ativan for you.

What happens if you panic during an MRI?

When not properly accommodated during an MRI, claustrophobic patients may experience panic attacks, which can bring on increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, chills, sweating, and other distressing symptoms. Claustrophobia is a very common condition, affecting as much as 5% of the population.

Are open MRI as good as closed?

They are not ideal for all bodies: Because of the open MRI's shape, it can't take images of specific body areas and the images are of lower quality, since the open machine isn't as strong as the closed. An open MRI isn't always ideal. Doctors have to use a closed machine to take certain images.

Why would a doctor order a CT scan instead of an MRI?

A CT scan may be recommended if a patient can't have an MRI. People with metal implants, pacemakers or other implanted devices shouldn't have an MRI due to the powerful magnet inside the machine. CT scans create images of bones and soft tissues.

What scan shows nerve damage?

Nerve damage can usually be diagnosed based on a neurological examination and can be correlated by MRI scan findings. The MRI scan images are obtained with a magnetic field and radio waves.

Is MRI harmful?

Extensive research has been carried out into whether the magnetic fields and radio waves used during MRI scans could pose a risk to the human body. No evidence has been found to suggest there's a risk, which means MRI scans are one of the safest medical procedures available.

Does your whole body go in for a hand MRI?

Your whole body does not go in the machine, only the half or part that needs to be scanned. One thing you'll need to know is that the machine is noisy. It makes a lot of different noises, and some of them are extremely loud. Some patients say it sounds like a sledgehammer.

What is a silent MRI?

Silent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans produce reduced acoustic noise and are considered more gentle for sedated children.

Why is it so hard to get an MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is possible only because of some very advanced technology and the skills of some highly-trained specialists. An MRI is much more complex than an X-ray or CT scan, for example, and there are some built-in reasons why MRIs will always be more expensive than other imaging techniques.

Can I refuse contrast dye for MRI?

A: As with other medical concerns, patients should speak with their doctor about their individual care decisions. Both the choice to receive contrast material and the choice to refuse contrast material when it otherwise would be indicated can have potential health consequences.

What sedatives are used for MRI?

IV Sedation

It's common to use a combination of Versed (a benzodiazepine) and Fentanyl, an opioid medication commonly prescribed for pain and sedation. You must have a physical and medical history within 30 days prior to your MRI in order to ensure the safety of these medications.

Is a CT scan less claustrophobic than an MRI?

Patients who have metal fragments or devices can use a CT scan because no magnetic field is involved. Claustrophobic patients may find a CT scan more comfortable, as they are shorter and less noisy than a MRI. CT scans are particularly good at imagining bones for accurate diagnosis of injury or disease.

How can I relax during an MRI?

Can I take anti anxiety medication before an MRI?

Many patients find that an oral benzodiazepine, such as Xanax, Ativan, or Valium, taken prior to the exam sufficiently relieves their anxiety and allows them to complete an MRI with relative ease.

How long does a sedated MRI take?

After the procedure

A staff member will accompany you back to the waiting area. You're free at this time to visit the food and gift shops on the second floor. An MRI can take 30 minutes or more beyond the estimated time you may be given.

What is a disadvantage of a PET scan?

Limitations of a PET Scan

A PET scan is less accurate in certain situations: Slow-growing, less active tumors may not absorb much tracer. Small tumors (less than 7mm) may not be detectable. High levels of blood sugar can cause the cells to absorb this normal sugar rather than the radioactive, injected kind.

Is a PET scan worth it?

A PET or PET-CT scan may be helpful if your doctor suspects your cancer has returned, based on your symptoms, a physical exam, or other tests. A scan may also be recommended if you were treated for advanced cancer and your doctor needs to find out if your most recent treatment was effective.

Do all cancers show up on PET scan?

Not all cancers show up on a PET scan. PET scan results are often used with other imaging and lab test results. Other tests are often needed to find out whether an area that collected a lot of radioactive material is non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

What is a mini MRI?

The mini MRI combines images obtained at different magnet angles and increases the brightness and shows how the collagen fibers are arranged. This provides crucial information about the pattern of collagen fibers in the knee structures.