MRI Information

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI – Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body.

About MRI

Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets. When you lie inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field inside works with radio waves and hydrogen atoms in your body to create cross-sectional images — like slices in a loaf of bread.

There is no radiation from MRI.

The MRI machine also can produce 3D images that can be viewed from different angles.

Why MRI

MRI is a non-invasive way for a medical professional to examine your organs, tissues and skeletal system. It is very safe- safer than Xrays. It produces highly detailed images of the inside of the body that help diagnose a variety of conditions.

Whole-body MRI is most frequently used to help diagnose: aneurysms of cerebral vessels, conditions of the eye and inner ear, multiple sclerosis, stroke, tumours, size and function of the heart’s thickness and movement of the walls of the heart, structural problems in the aorta, such as aneurysms or dissections.

MRI can check for tumours or other irregularities in many organs in the body, including the following: liver and bile ducts, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, uterus, ovaries, and prostate.

Before Having An MRI

Prior to having an MRI Scan you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about your medical history, and will be asked about the following:
  • A cardiac pacemaker or heart surgery
  • Surgery to your head or back
  • Any implants in your eyes, ears, or breasts
  • Any metal fragments in your body
  • Claustrophobia
  • Epilepsy
  • Diabetes or renal dysfunction
  • Any allergies
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Whether you have had a previous MRI scan
You will be asked to remove any metallic objects, such as jewellery, watches, keys, and coins, before entering the MRI room. You will be given headphones or ear plugs to protect your hearing from the loud noises the MRI machine makes. You may take an eye mask with you.

What is the difference between a CT scan and an MRI scan?

CT scans take a fast series of X-ray pictures, which are put together to create images of the area that was scanned. 

An MRI uses strong magnetic fields to take pictures of the inside of the body. There is no radiation exposure. MRIs are useful as they are more accurate than a CT scan for most conditions and they are safer. In certain areas CT scans are better, they are better for imaging lung disease, coronary arteries and the colon however they do use low dose radiation.

Things To Consider

Before having a whole-body MRI you need to be aware of the following;
No medical test is 100% accurate – all tests can miss important findings (a false negative finding) or can show something that appears to be important but isn’t (a false positive finding).

  • The tests give a picture of what is there on that day.
  • These tests may find something serious that you are not expecting.
  • Serious findings may require you to have further tests, usually more imaging, to further distinguish what is going on and this may result in time, worry and cost to you. Sometimes these findings turn out to be significant to your health, however sometimes it can turn out to be nothing of concern.
  • As no test is 100% accurate, and our bodies change over time, it is very important that if you develop any new health concerns following the assessment that you still go ahead and get these checked out by your own Doctor.
Whole-body MRI screening limitations in detecting certain conditions or abnormalities. Here are some examples:
    • Microscopic or Early-Stage Diseases: Very small cancers or metastases under 1 cm in size may not be visible on MRI scans.
    • Functional or Cellular-Level Issues: MRI focuses on structural imaging and cannot detect functional abnormalities, such as hormonal imbalances or cellular-level changes.
    • Certain Cancer Types: Some cancers, like prostate cancer, may require specialized MRI techniques for accurate detection.
    • Microvascular Disease: Conditions affecting the small blood vessels in the heart may not be detected.
    • Small Lung Nodules: Early-stage lung cancer or other small abnormalities in the lungs may be missed due to motion and air interference.
    • Bone Density: MRI is not designed to assess bone density, which is better evaluated using DEXA scans.
    • Cartilage and Tendon Injuries: These may require specialized MRI coils and protocols for detailed imaging.

Organs covered in your whole-body MRI scan

      • Brain: Possible brain tumors, abnormal fluid accumulations, and indications of potential premature aging.
      • Spine: Possible herniated spinal discs, compression of the spinal cord, or fractures in the vertebrae.
      • Thyroid: Possible thyroid nodules, thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation), and goiters.
      • Liver: Possible liver tumors, fatty liver disease, and excessive iron accumulation.
      • Gallbladder: Possible presence of gallstones and polyps in the gallbladder.
      • Adrenal Glands: Possible adrenal nodules.
      • Pancreas: Potential early-stage pancreatic tumors (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms or IPMNs) and fatty pancreas.
      • Cardiovascular: Possible arteriovenous malformations, aneurysms and structural abnormalities.
      • Spleen: Potential spleen enlargement and presence of a splenule (accessory spleen).
      • Kidney: Potential kidney tumors, hydronephrosis (obstruction of urine flow), nodules, and kidney stones.
      • Bladder: Possible thickened bladders (trabeculation).
      • Ovaries: Possible presence of ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, and endometriosis.
      • Uterus: Potential fibroids.
      • Prostate: Possible prostate cancer and prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate.
      • Musculoskeletal system: fractures, bone lesions, herniated discs.
      • Lymph nodes: detects enlarged nodes greater than 1.2cm.

Not covered: Areas below the shoulders and upper thighs.

Scroll to Top