During the development of anatomy as a science, it became known that dissection, separation of muscles, blood vessels, organs from adipose and connective tissue creates a general picture of the spatial relationship of systems. Advances in technology have led to methods of examining organs without damaging them. Wilhelm Roentgen accidentally discovered X-rays on November 8, 1895, which was later named after him. The discovery made it possible for the first time to look inside the body without an autopsy. The era of X-rays lasted about fifty years. In 1947, the Austrian neurologist Karl Theodor Dussick presented the results of the determination of brain tumors by measuring the intensity of an ultrasound wave during its passage through the skull. He called this method hyperphonography. The first contact handheld scanner was developed in the United States in 1962. From that moment ultrasound machines began to be actively used and developed.
Godfrey Gounsfield and Allan Cormack proposed a method of computed tomography in 1972. In 1979, this development was awarded the Nobel Prize. The technique is based on the measurement and computer processing of the difference in the attenuation of X-rays in different densities of tissues. Over time, it became clear that excessive use of X-rays has a negative impact on the body.
MRI was discovered by Stony Brook Professor of Chemistry and Radiology in 1973 when he published «Image creation by induced local interaction; examples based on magnetic resonance» in Nature. It talked about three-dimensional imaging of objects obtained from proton magnetic resonance spectra. The scientist's work formed the basis of MRI and became the foundation for the research.
For some time the term NMR tomography was used, and MRI began to be used in 1986. The first equipment to study the body appeared in 1980-1981. Now tomography has become a field of medicine.
Magnetic resonance imaging is a layer-by-layer method of examining internal tissues and organs using nuclear magnetic resonance. The technique is based on measuring the electromagnetic response of atomic nuclei, more often hydrogen. This is done by excitation using a combination of electromagnetic waves in a constant field of high intensity. The diagnosis allows for high-contrast imaging of body tissues. It is widely used for visualization of the brain, heart, muscles, neoplasms.
MRI is a modern highly informative diagnostic method that uses radio waves without harmful X-rays. The study is used to detect pathologies of the brain and spinal cord: tumor, aneurysm, stroke, dementia, trauma. Examination of bones and joints with the help of MRI equipment helps to find and prevent hernias, spondylolisthesis, spinal canal stenosis, arthritis, bone infections, joint injuries. When examining internal organs, the equipment helps to detect tumors and pathologies like:
lungs;
liver;
spleen;
kidneys;
pancreas;
internal genitalia.
Magnetic resonance imaging is used for breast examinations as an adjunct to mammography. During the examinations, the patient is inside the machine, and the magnetic field temporarily acts on water molecules in the body. Radio waves scan the signals from the molecules and form an image.
The examination using magnetic resonance imaging is absolutely safe. The examination is allowed to be performed on children from birth and adults at any age. There are no restrictions on the number of sessions.
Magnetic fields that are used in clinical practice do not have a negative effect on the body. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most modern, informative and comfortable. The results of examinations facilitate the diagnosis of diseases, especially in the initial stages, contribute to the planning of effective treatment.
Due to the use of a magnetic field, the technique is absolutely prohibited for patients with installed pacemakers, ferromagnetic or electronic implants of the middle ear, metal implants, ferromagnetic fragments, Ilizarov device.
Depending on the area being examined and the suspected pathology, the patient may be injected with a contrast agent. Thanks to this, it is much easier to see violations, because the solution glows on the images. Stages of MRI.
Placing the patient on a retractable table, which smoothly moves inside the device.
Staying in the device, where a magnetic field is created.
Receiving signals by a computer and transmitting the image to a monitor.
Layer-by-layer scanning of the body and formation of a series of images.
Further analysis and creation of a diagnostic report.
The body is fully or partially inside the device, which depends on the area being examined. During the examination, the patient may hear various sounds as well as knocking. This means that the equipment is controlling the magnetic field using a gradient amplifier. After the end of the procedure, the doctor needs time to study the obtained images, to establish a diagnosis.
Equipment for examination is divided by the power of the magnetic field that it is able to create:
Low-field — create a magnetic field with a power of up to 0.6 T. The devices have a lower price and form average quality images, which reduces the cost of examination.
High-field — from 1 to 3 T. The devices allow you to get detailed results.
Ultra-high-field — 3.5 T and above. Devices help to obtain high-quality images. More often these models are used in the study of new medical drugs and treatment methods.
Depending on the design, MRI machines are divided into closed and open types. The second type is better suited for people suffering from a fear of closed space.
MRI, examining various organs and systems has a number of advantages over other techniques like:
absence of radiation exposure to the body;
high diagnostic accuracy;
it is allowed to be performed on children;
application during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
no restrictions on the number of procedures.
The disadvantages of MRI include a long time of examination, during which the patient must be in a stationary position.
Now MRI opens new opportunities in medicine. The technique allows to detect insufficient blood flow in the brain, microstroke, to distinguish benign tumor from malignant one. Medical technologies are improving and introducing new revolutionary solutions in magnetic resonance imaging.
Previously, diagnostic progress was to increase the voltage of the magnetic field. The higher it is, the thinner the slices, the clearer the images. But the increase in power led to complications, the emergence of contraindications for MRI, heating of body tissues during the study. Science does not stand still, so engineers began to create more sophisticated software instead of increasing the strength of the magnetic field. Improvements in technological processes for collecting information make it possible to study the functions of organs without increasing the power. The application of artificial intelligence, automation of the analysis process, new biomarkers and MRI navigation are promising emerging technologies that will contribute to solving important problems.
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16.08.2024