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Learn about your MRI at Bright Light

 

WHAT IS AN MRI?
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of your body. It involves no radiation and is very safe.

 

WHY AM I GETTING AN MRI?
Your doctor has recommended an MRI to get a detailed view of a specific body part, helping to achieve an accurate diagnosis.

 

WHO READS MY MRI?
Only board-certified radiologists are qualified to interpret MRIs. A radiologist is a medical doctor who has at least completed five years of specialized training in radiology after medical school. At Bright Light Medical Imaging, our medical directors and subspecialized radiologists have undergone an additional year of MRI-focused training and possess extensive experience reading MRIs.

 

COMMON TYPES OF MRI:

  • BRAIN: Detects abnormalities like inflammation, bleeding, stroke, tumors, and more.

  • BREAST: A sensitive test used for patients with known breast cancer, strong family history, dense breast tissue, implants, or inconclusive prior tests.

  • BONES AND JOINTS: Evaluates bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage in areas like the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, hip, and more.

  • SPINE: Assesses the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine for disc bulges and other spinal conditions.

  • BLOOD VESSELS: Uses contrast material to detect aneurysms, blockages, or vessel damage.

  • ABDOMEN: Examines organs such as the kidneys, bladder, liver, spleen, adrenal glands, pancreas, and gallbladder.

  • PELVIS: Evaluates the uterus and ovaries in women, and the prostate in men.

WHAT IS MRI CONTRAST?
MRI contrast, known as Gadolinium, can be injected into your veins to enhance the visibility of blood vessels and certain organs, providing more detailed images.

TYPES OF MRI OFFERED AT BLMI:

  • MRI Brain (Head): For headaches, neurological issues, stroke, bleeding, tumors.

  • MRI Cervical Spine: Evaluates the neck for disc bulges and pain causes.

  • MRI Thoracic Spine: Examines the mid-back for disc bulges and pain.

  • MRI Lumbar Spine: Focuses on the lower back for disc issues and pain.

  • MRI Neck: Assesses lymph nodes, blood vessels, and neck structures.

  • MRI Breast: Used for evaluating breast cancer, dense breast tissue, implants, and inconclusive mammograms.

  • MRI Shoulder: Detects rotator cuff injuries, labral tears, fractures, arthritis.

  • MRI Elbow: Looks for ligament injuries, biceps tears, fractures.

  • MRI Wrist: Identifies fractures, ligament tears, tendon injuries, arthritis.

  • MRI Hand: Evaluates arthritis, fractures, ligament injuries.

  • MRI Hip: Assesses fractures, bone abnormalities, tendon injuries, labral tears.

  • MRI Knee: Detects meniscus injuries, ligament damage (ACL, MCL), bone issues, arthritis.

  • MRI Ankle: Examines injuries, arthritis, fractures, and other conditions.

  • MRI Foot: Identifies injuries, arthritis, fractures, and pain sources.

  • MRI Arm/Leg: Evaluates injuries, arthritis, fractures, and pain causes.

  • MRI Abdomen: Looks at the liver, spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, kidneys, and more.

  • MRI Pelvis: Examines female reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries), male prostate, and other pelvic organs.