MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI))

Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI is called a non-X-ray method of diagnosing human tissues and internal organs, since the examination is not associated with X-ray radiation, is not dangerous or harmful to health and can be performed repeatedly.

MRI is the most accurate method of diagnosing diseases of the internal organs (inflammatory and tumor nature), the central nervous system, spine and joints, soft tissues and the circulatory system.

MRI diagnostics is performed in the State Medical Institution MCSC named after A. S. Loginov DZM on a high precision new Magnetom Skyra tomograph with a magnetic field strength of 3.0 Tesla Siemens company 2018A high level of service, work without queues by appointment will ensure a pleasant experience of your stay in our Center. After the study, if necessary, you will be able to get expert advice.

Advantages of MRI diagnostics

The fundamental advantage of MRI is its resolution.  In this parameter, MRI is superior to CT in soft tissue studies. Also, by changing the MR parameters, it is possible to optimize the pulse sequence for a certain pathology and by applying additional techniques to evaluate: vascularization of the formation (MR perfusion), involvement of large venous and arterial vessels in the process (MR angiography), metabolism (MR spectroscopy), the nature of diffusion (MR diffusion), the position of the neoplasm relative to functionally significant areas (functional MRI) and the pathways (MR tractography) of the brain, changes in the cerebrospinal fluid circulation (MR-myelography).

Another important advantage of MRI is the ability to build an image in any conceivable plane (CT only reconstructs the image from axially obtained data).

MRI Safety

Once again, please note that MRI does not use ionizing radiation and there is no radiation load on the patient, so this diagnostic procedure is completely harmless, including for children.

Which MRI tests are most in demand?

The MRI method is widely used in hospitals in traumatology, orthopedics, neurology, endocrinology, otorhinolaryngology, urology, gynecology and other areas. Injuries, bruises, "aching" joints, headaches, dizziness, nasal breathing disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome - all these symptoms and diseases are the field of application of magnetic resonance imaging. MRI is a highly informative method of early diagnosis of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and spine, so many medical centers, hospitals and clinics have MRI equipment in their arsenal.

Where is the best place to get an MRI scan?

It has become quite easy to get an MRI in Moscow in our time. In addition to a large number of tomographs in state medical institutions. In addition, every year more and more private MR diagnostic centers are opened throughout the city. But you need to be very careful in choosing the location of the magnetic tomography. There are not so many doctors who can make a good description of the images, because the method is relatively young (20 years old), so a large number of high-class specialists have not yet had time to "learn".

Also, when choosing an MRI diagnostic center, you should ask about the power and age of the tomograph. Old devices (especially with a power of 1 Tesla) can give poor image quality. There are also low-field tomographs, or open-type tomographs with a power of 0.1-0.5 Tesla. Such devices can not do magnetic tomography of the shoulder joints, small parts of the brain, hand, ankle, internal organs, and pelvis. The cost of conducting diagnostics on such tomographs should be significantly lower.

Why do we need an MRI scan?

Despite the fact that MRI in Moscow is now done in many hospitals, we recommend that you contact only trusted medical centers.

InThe Moscow Clinical Research and Practice Center MRI diagnostics room is equipped with modern equipment from Siemens in 2018.
Here you will find:

• The quality of the images is at the highest level
• Experienced radiologists
• Nice prices, constant discounts and promotions
• High level of service for your comfort

We have extensive experience in the study of abdominal organs, brain, spine, joints, mediastinal organs, pelvis, and blood vessels.

The development and improvement of diagnostic protocols of MRI with the use of bolus contrast enhancement, aimed at maximizing information acquisition, is our priority. It should be borne in mind that it is the bolus contrast enhancement (with the help of an automatic injector) that allows you to get images that have a differential diagnostic value!

The doctors of our department have extensive experience in conducting research on magnetic resonance and computed tomography and always objectively tell you the best ways to finally diagnose your disease.   

Do an MRI inThe Moscow Clinical Research and Practice Center is inexpensive and fast enough. Of course, if the patient has no contraindications to this method of research.

Contraindications to MRI

Before you make an appointment for an MRI, you should consult with our doctors. In the case of contraindications, the study will not be conducted.
Contraindications to MRI are absolute and relative.
Absolute contraindications to MRI:

• The presence of artificial pacemakers
• The presence of large metal implants (with the exception of implants made of titanium, titanium nickelide and other non-magnetic metals), fragments
• The presence of metal brackets, clamps on the blood vessels

Relative contraindications to MRI:

• Claustrophobia
• Epilepsy, schizophrenia
• Extremely serious condition of the patient
• Inability for the patient to remain motionless during the examination
• Technical limitations (overweight)

The first trimester of pregnancy. Repeated radio frequency pulses lead to minimal heating of the tissues in the object of study. For the body of an adult, this heating is completely harmless and passes without a trace. In the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy, this heating can lead to undesirable long-term consequences, which include an increased risk of congenital diseases. The second and third trimesters of pregnancy are not a contraindication for conducting an MRI scan

The final decision on the use of this method of diagnosis is made by the radiologist immediately before the examination and after assessing the patient's condition.

Types of MRI

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) has very broad indications, but most often magnetic resonance imaging is used to diagnose diseases of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), the musculoskeletal system (spine, musculoskeletal system, joints) and a number of internal organs. This is due to the fact that other diagnostic methods, such as radiography, are not informative enough for these diseases. MRI is very effective for studying dynamic processes in tissues and organs - for example, the state of blood flow and the results of its violation. If necessary, the procedure is performed with the introduction of a contrast agent, which increases the possibility of obtaining diagnostic information. At the same time, modern computer technology allows you to create an accurate three-dimensional model of any organ, which helps the doctor to get maximum information about its condition and establish an accurate diagnosis.

Indications for MRI are based on the wishes of the attending physician and the possibility of detecting the suspected/ existing pathology by this method of investigation.

InAt the Moscow Clinical Research and Practice Center, you can undergo the following types of magnetic resonance imaging:

• MRI of the brain, pituitary gland, and paranasal sinuses
• MRI of all parts of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral)
• MRI of the joints (shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, ankle)
• MRI of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space
• MRI of the pelvic organs
• MRI of the soft tissues of the neck, ENT organs
• Full-body vascular MRI
• Full body MRI (screening diagnostics)

And here's what an MRI can detect

When examining the brain with the help of MRI, you can identify:

• Vascular changes - heart attacks, ischemia, vascular encephalopathy
• Demyelinating diseases - multiple sclerosis, etc.
• Dystrophic changes - Alzheimer's disease, etc.
• Tumors of the brain or its membranes
• Consequences of traumatic brain injury
• Congenital and acquired changes in blood vessels (malformations, aneurysms, stenoses, occlusions)

When examining the spine and spinal cord with the help of MRI, you can identify:

• Herniated discs
• Tumoral diseases of the spinal cord and spine
• Inflammatory diseases of the spine and spinal cord
• Abnormalities and malformations of the spinal cord

When examining the pelvic organs with the help of MRI, you can identify:

• Inflammatory changes
• Tumor formations
• Developmental abnormalities

When examining the abdominal cavity with the help of MRI, you can identify:

• Tumour diseases
• Inflammatory diseases
• Developmental abnormalities
• Parasitic diseases
• Vascular diseases

When examining large joints (hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow) with the help of MRI, you can identify:

• Mechanical damage to intra-articular and external ligaments, articular cartilage
• Degenerative changes in the joints (degree of arthrosis)
• Aseptic necrosis in the dorentgenological stage

This list can go on for a very long time for each position. Thus, this method is almost universal.

HOW DOES THE MRI PROCEDURE WORK?

In the Moscow Clinical Research and Practice Center, located at 86 Entuziastov Highway, MRI is performed on a superconducting Magnetom Skyra tomograph made by Siemens of a closed or tunnel type with a magnetic field strength of 3.0 Tesla, which allows examining organs and tissues with the thinnest sections, which is extremely important in the diagnosis of pathology of the abdominal cavity, retroperitoneal space, pelvis, joints, and soft tissues. Examination on a high-field magnetic resonance tomograph allows you to detect diseases and injuries at the earliest stage and of low severity. High-field MRI is recommended in the acute period of stroke, in traumatic brain injuries, for the study of brain vessels, arteries at the cervical level, the study of intervertebral hernias and joints, abdominal and pelvic organs, conducting contrast-free magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (to assess the gallbladder and bile ducts).

Duration of the MRI scan

The duration of the procedure depends on the area of study:

• diagnosis of the brain or one part of the spine takes 20-30 minutes
• large joint – 30-40 minutes
• abdominal or pelvic organs – 40-50 minutes

The examination with the use of contrast media takes longer, plus additional preparation time is required.

If you are planning an MRI study with contrast, you should first coordinate the procedure with your doctor, learn about the necessary preparation and possible contraindications. An MRI with a contrast agent is performed on an empty stomach or 2 hours after a meal.