What does magnetic resonance mean ?

Principle of operation of an MRI machine

The principle of operation of an MRI device is based on the human body content of 70% water containing hydrogen protons with an asymmetric rotation through the human body.

For investigation, you are placed in a supine position, on a special support in the device tunnel, in the middle of a strong magnetic field.

Once the patient is introduced into the device, being under the influence of the strong magnetic field, the hydrogen protons are aligned and this signal is taken by special antennas that are mounted by the MRI operator around the region to be examined, then this signal is transmitted to a computer. high-performance console that converts this signal into images.

The MRI investigation can be done natively or with injection of contrast substance, which helps the radiologist, bringing valuable information in order to obtain a quality radiological diagnosis. Investigation is a totally non-invasive method using the magnetic field which is not harmful. Also, the contrast substance, not being based on iodine, is very easily tolerated by the body, being hypoallergenic. The MRI contrast agent is based on Gadolinium, a rare metal, allergic reactions being very rare and if they occur, there are mild reactions: itching, hives, nausea.

The duration of an MRI examination in Timisoara at Neuromed varies between 15 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the segment or number of segments examined and the pathology.

After you have completed the consent and the appointment form has been prepared at the Clinic secretariat, you will be invited to a booth where you are asked to leave everything that means metal object (jewelry, glasses, watch, telephone, coins, paper clips, etc.) because There is a strong and permanent magnetic field in the camera and in the camera, so these objects could compromise the investigation.

Important

It is important to let us know before making an appointment if you have: hip replacement, metal rod, dental appliance, dental restraint wire, intrauterine device, IUD, bioimplant, neurostimulator, pacemaker, stents, insulin pump, implantable room for chemotherapy, hearing aid, cochlear or other implant, detachable denture, intracerebral ferromagnetic clips and laparoscopic post-surgery, ventricular valves, sutures with metal wires or clips, other metal objects inserted into the body incidentally, for medical or beauty purposes, body piercing, tattoos, permanent makeup.

In this case, please bring with you all the medical documents related to the implant to determine if it is compatible or not with the magnetic field. In principle, no preparation is required before the investigation, except for some investigations: abdominal MRI, functional MRI, Entero MRI, Prostate Spectroscopy and anesthesia (for claustrophobic patients or children) details that you will be informed by the clinic secretariat.

Once prepared for the investigation, as the case may be, you will be given an intravenous flexure, through which a contrast substance will be injected towards the end of the investigation. The MRI operator positions you on the examination table and instructs you on everything you have to do during the examination after which you are inserted into the tube of the device. It is very important that during this time you do not move and breathe according to the instructions you will receive from the MRI operator.

During the investigation you will hear a rather loud but bearable noise. In this sense, you will be asked to wear headphones, where you will hear music. You will be constantly monitored by a video camera and an intercom system.

What are the risks?

The only risks are those for patients with pacemakers or who have foreign, metallic, implanted and unannounced bodies.

Due to the penetration in the magnetic field, at the entrance to the MRI room you must not have on you objects such as: watches, credit cards or checks, wallets, keys, pens and pens, certain jewelry, other metal objects (the check is made by the assistant -operator).