Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Our Siemens Concerto mid-field full-body Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI), uses computer-generated radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to produce detailed anatomical images.  MRI is a non-invasive diagnostic method that allows the specialist to view internal organs without exploratory surgery or radiation exposure.

What Happens During an MRI?

The patient is anesthetized to minimize motion which would cause blurry images.  A collecting coil designed for specific body regions surrounds the area of interest(i.e. the head when the brain is being imaged).  The table is moved so the area of interest is in the center of the magnetic field.  Radiofrequency waves are produced by the MRI to systematically alter the alignment of the hydogen nuclei to produce a rotating magnetic field detected by the scanner.  The signal is collected by the receiving coils, sent to the MRI computers which constructs anatomical "slice images" with greater soft tissue contrast than provided by x-ray or CT.

How Can MRI Diagnostics Help My Pet?

MRI produces sharp images of soft tissue such as the brain, spinal cord and the central nervous system.  Paramagnetic contrast agents are often given intravenously to further enhance tumor identification, localization, swelling or effects on adjacent tissue.

What Can an MRI Help Identify?

*  Spinal cord abnormalties	*  Spinal cord tumor
*  Cranial nerve dysfunction	*  Abscesses and hemorrhage
*  Vertebral bone tumors and compression	*  Origins of lameness / weakness
*  Disconspondylities	*  Middle ear polyp
*  Soft-tissue masses or swelling	*  Degenerative disorders
*  Intervertebral disc herniation or extrusion	*  Retrobulbar and nasal masses
*  Hydocephalus	*  Middle ear infection
*  Vascular accident ( stroke)	*  Verebral infection or tumor
*  Encephalities	*  Brain tumor
*  Syringomyelia	*  Brain abscess or cyst
*  Middle ear infection or polyp	*  Chiari malformation
*  Nerve root tumor

In the Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Neurological Conditions

*  Soft tissue cancer
*  Tumor or abscess in liver or spleen
*  Anterior cruciate or meniscal tears
*  Retrobulbar tumor r infection
*  Metastatic disease
*  Nasal infection or tumor

Back to Diagnostics Home Page

Back to Neurology

Back to Surgery