MRI – Trends And Latest Developments
One of the most powerful and universally used imaging tools in the world is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which has acquired vast visibility in this modern age. The MRI is so vital that it helps in accurate assessment of the medical condition, directing right treatment, prevents unwanted surgeries, and thereby help in improving patient outcomes. Understanding its functioning is therefore crucial to help people make rational and knowledgeable choices in the medical field.
Since its introduction in early 1980, MRI has seen numerous technological advances and innovative designs for advanced clinical applications. Today, MRI helps the physician in accurate diagnosis and surgical planning across specialities.
Neurology and neurosurgery. MRI is the investigative method of choice for neuroimaging. It helps to diagnose and monitor demyelinating diseases that damage the protective covering known as myelin around nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord. Other conditions that can be diagnosed include dementia, cerebrovascular diseases, infectious disease, epilepsy, and tumors. MRI advanced applications also help in management of stroke and non-invasive diagnosis of intracranial lesions. MRI can also help to assess the extent of spread of a tumor in the brain tissue.
Liver, gall bladder, and pancreas (hepatopancreatobiliary). MRI is widely used in hepatobiliary imaging to characterize lesions in liver and pancreas. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) allows imaging of the bile ducts non-invasively. Liver fat and liver iron quantifications help in treatment planning, liver transplant assessment, and follow-up and in avoiding unnecessary random liver biopsies. MRI using contrast agents also indicates the type of lesion. MRI can measure mechanical properties of tissue and help in diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis.
Gastroenterology. MRI (enterography) provides non-invasive assessment of inflammatory bowel disease and small tumors. It also helps in detecting active small-bowel inflammation and complications like bowel obstruction.
Orthopedics. MRI has revolutionised the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders through display of high definition images of tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints, bone, and articular cartilage. MRI and real time imaging of certain joints helps evaluate the interactions of bone and soft tissue and the relative position of each through a range of motion. MRI allows visualization of the cartilage. New technology reduces the effects of distortion in images caused by metallic implants, helping the doctors to monitor implants periodically.
Cardiology. Cardiac MRI is today a clinically proven, safe, and comprehensive technique providing information in acquired and congenital heart disease. It is the most precise technique for measuring volume, function, and mass of the heart’s chambers. It has wide range of applications in assessment of myocardial ischemia, cardiomyopathies, myocarditis, and congenital heart disease.
Oncology. The development of intra-operative MRI techniques provides the neurosurgeon with live information required to perform accurate image guided surgery. It helps removal of tumors without damaging adjacent brain structures. It also tells him whether the entire tumor has been resected without having to wait for imaging after the operation. MRI guided high intensity ultrasound helps in management of fibroids and some other tumours noninvasively. MRI guided biopsies with robotic work station allows sampling of very small lesions and are being used in prostate and breast biopsies.
Urology. MRI is clinically useful in the evaluation of suspected urinary tract obstruction, hematuria (blood in urine), congenital defects, and can be particularly beneficial in pediatric or pregnant patients or when ionizing radiation is to be avoided.
Obstetrics and gynecology. MRI is useful in gynecological patients giving detailed imaging of uterus and ovaries. Fetal MRI can detect fetal anomalies.
In conclusion, it can be said that MRI imaging provides a decisive view into the diverse interior of the human body and has become an essential tool of modern medical imaging and disease diagnosis. The MRI scan is critical as it can provide diagnostic information about injuries or ailments that other imaging techniques may not be able to detect and hence, a proper opinion by MRI specialist is crucial before planning to go in for any surgeries.
