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An Introduction to Different Types of MRI

Oct 6, 2018

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a common procedure performed at medical diagnostic imaging centers in Long Island, NY. MRI scans take pictures of the inside of the body using a large magnet and computer inside a tube-shaped machine. Your doctor may refer you to advanced diagnostic imaging in Long Island, NY, to have an MRI scan to aid in diagnosing and treating a variety of ailments including brain injury, cancer, stroke, heart disease, damage to joints, and more.

In addition to traditional MRI scans, there are a few different types of magnetic resonance imaging. Read on to learn more about the various types of advanced diagnostic imaging in Long Island, NY, from the experts at Peconic Bay Medical Center.

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Functional MRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a type of scan that is used to examine the brain. In these scans, changes in blood flow are detected to measure brain activity. These scans are used for brain mapping so that doctors can assess how risky performing brain surgery or other invasive treatments on a particular patient will be. They also are used to examine how a normal brain is functioning and how it is affected by tumors, stroke, brain trauma/injury, and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography

This scan, MRA, uses a combination of MRI and intravenous dyes to examine blood vessels. MRA is most often used to generate images of arteries in the neck, brain, thoracic and abdominal aorta, renal arteries, and legs. These can detect stenosis, which is an abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel; occlusions, which are blockages of blood vessels; aneurysms, which are bulges caused by a weak spot on the wall of a blood vessel, and other blood vessel abnormalities. An MRA is usually conducted in conjunction with a complete MRI of the brain.

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Magnetic Resonance Venography

Magnetic resonance venography, or MRV, is similar to MRA, but it’s used to take images of veins rather than the arteries. An MRV is less common because vein diseases are less common than diseases of the arteries. The most common condition that doctors utilize MRV to evaluate is cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), a blood clot in a cerebral vein in the brain which drains blood from the brain. CVT can cause a hemorrhage, brain swelling, or stroke-like symptoms if left untreated.

Other MRI Techniques

A couple of other MRI techniques include:

  • Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which is used to study metabolic changes caused by brain tumors, strokes, seizure disorders, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases that affect the brain.
  • Real-time MRI, which continuously monitors moving objects in real time. It’s most commonly utilized in cardiac examinations.

To learn more about diagnostic imaging in Long Island, NY, contact the experts at Peconic Bay Medical Center. Visit http://www.pbmchealth.org to learn more about all the services they offer.