MRI Brain Test

A Brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a painless, non-surgical medical test that involves producing images of the brain and its inner parts. It is helpful in detecting issues with innermost parts of the brain such as the pituitary gland and for better clarity of abnormal tissues, sometimes a dye or contrast material is given through an intravenous (IV) line. This test effectively captures any anomalies or damages in the brain and its interior parts. Depending on the reports of this test, the doctor advises further steps to control or mitigate abnormalities, if any.

If the MRI requires oral or an IV, it’s advisable to fast. Otherwise, normal food can be taken before the scan. It’s advisable to listen to your physician’s advice. Remove any metallic object you are wearing such as earrings and other metallic accessories before the scan and inform about any pregnancy or embedded metallic devices in your body. Also inform the radiologist about any allergies and whether you have any disorder like sickle cell disease, which prevents using contrast material. It would be also helpful to disclose any fears of closed spaces.

A Brain MRI scan reveals images of the innermost parts of the brain such and detects any abnormalities in them. The test reports may reveal: The growth or changes in size of any cyst or tumour. Inflammation or infections. Brain aneurysms or problems with blood vessels. Bleeding in or around the brain. Blood flow or blood clots to the brain.

You’ll be required to lie still for maybe a half hour or more on the bed attached to the machine. You need to lie motionless when being slid under the cylindrical machine with the magnet. A device aka “coil” maybe wrapped around your head. The radiologist may use dye and proceed towards more scans. Depending on the area to be scanned, it takes from 15 minutes to well over an hour for a complete scan.