Overview Of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans

Types Of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scans

There are quite a few different types of magnetic resonance imaging scans. Doctors will order the one that is the most suitable for each of their patients. For instance, many patients will need a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan, often called an fMRI, to diagnose a stroke. It is capable of this because this scan tests an individual’s brain activity. This type of magnetic resonance imaging also helps map the patient’s brain. Brain mapping is crucial for diagnosing epilepsy and tumors as well as for brain surgery.

Another form of magnetic resonance imaging is a breast scan. Doctors often order an MRI of the breast for patients who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer. Thankfully, this is not invasive, though it often requires a needle biopsy of the breast. Another form of magnetic resonance imaging is a scan that examines the patient’s heart and surrounding blood vessels. This is called a cardiac MRI and helps determine how well the patient’s heart is functioning.

Discover information on open versus closed MRI scans next.