Brain MRI

Hi friends!!!

In our previous blog, we have discussed about MRI scan and MRI With Contrast. 

In today's blog we are going to discuss about MRI of brain.

One of the important application of MRI scan is the imaging of brain. Therefore it is important for every healthcare professionals to know about MRI of brain.

 

Let's get into the topic. 

WHAT IS MRI OF BRAIN?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of brain is a non-invasive and painless procedure used to produce three dimensional cross sectional images of brain without the use of radiation unlike CT scan and X ray. Doctors use MRI of brain to study the brain structures like cerebrum, brainstem, cerebellum.

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WHY DO WE NEED MRI OF BRAIN?

Since MRI can produce better images of soft tissues, MRI of brain is used to study different complications of brain. Here soft tissue means muscles, blood vessels, nerves, fat and other tissues. MRI of brain is mainly done because nearly 60 percent of brain is made up of fat. Another important fact which adds value to MRI of brain is that brain has nearly 100 million nerve cells which makes MRI of brain most suitable for brain study.

The MRI of brain is used to identify various brain conditions like cysts, tumors, swelling, aneurysm, multiple sclerosis, hemorrhage. The MRI of brain is also used to study brain condition after brain surgery or after accidents which causing severe damage to head and brain. The MRI of brain is used to study the damages of brain due to stroke.

The MRI of brain is also used to gain deeper insights about conditions like chronic headaches, dizziness and vision problems.

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WHAT ARE THE PREPARATIONS FOR

MRI OF BRAIN?

The preparation for MRI of brain is same like normal MRI scan. Patients will be asked to remove all the metal objects from their body like jewelry, belt, watch etc. Patients will also be questioned about having any metal implants in their body like cochlear implants, pacemaker. Patients who have implants will not be allowed for MRI scan.

Preparation before, during and after MRI scan.  

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR MRI

OF BRAIN?

Typical MRI procedure usually takes 15-20 minutes. Like normal MRI scan, in MRI of brain also patients will be given contrast agents based on the requirements. Patients will be asked to remain still during the MRI scan. Patients will be given two way intercom connection to communicate with the technician. Patients will also be given ear phones to prevent hearing damage due to loud noise produced by MRI scan.

MRI With Contrast

WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MRI OF

BRAIN?

The functional MRI of brain (fMRI) is used to produce images of blood flow in certain areas of brain. The functional MRI of brain is used to identify which part of brain handles what kind of functions. For example MRI of brain can identify the particular  area of brain responsible for specific body movement, speech and language. Functional MRI of brain identifies this by imaging the metabolic changes of brain which takes place when we do these body movements. During functional MRI of brain patients will be asked several brain teasing questions or asked to make some body movements like finger movements etc. to image the metabolic changes of brain.

HOW MRI OF BRAIN DONE IN

CHILDREN?

The MRI of brain for children are almost same like the one for adults and other age group peoples. Only difference is that in MRI of brain, a coil will be fitted around the child’s head when they sit in the machine. It is done because their heads are small. Doctors may recommend intravenous sedation due to lack of recommendation from children.  

 

Now I hope you have acquired some knowledge about MRI of brain. We will discuss in detail about a topic related to Biomedical Engineering in our next blog.

NOTE: Dear friends!!! ...Please do comment a topic related to Biomedical, so that we can discuss it in future blogs.

Check out for this blog about Computed Tomography and x ray.

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COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY|TECHNOLOGY|ARTIFACTS

x ray machine working principle

components of x ray tube

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