MRI Scan – Importance, Procedure & Cost in India

What exactly is an MRI?

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and it uses radio waves for drawing an accurate graph of the internal anatomy of your body. The scanner looks like a long tube or cylinder within which the patient has to lie down. Think of it like an X-Ray machine. 

Having the scan done does not hurt. But the machine can get slightly scary owing to the fact that you cannot move around in the tube. You also need to control your breathing so as to get a clear image of the affected area. The scanner also makes a lot of loud noises as it’s taking a picture. It is similar to a CT scan, which is a computerised tomography, but in many cases produces clearer results. 

Importance of MRI Scan

MRI scan is recommended in case you have suffered an accident leading to bone injury, soft tissue or muscular problems. But many of us still remain uncertain about when and why to get an MRI scan done, when is it absolutely necessary and what are the side effects of exposing yourself to the high magnetic field it generates. Let’s start from the basics.

Can everyone get an MRI scan done?

Unfortunately, not. The scan causes a very high magnetic field to be exerted and hence, any presence of ferromagnets is strictly prohibited.

Violent accidents have been known to happen in the scanning room if necessary conditions are not complied with. If you recognise the following conditions or have been a patient of any of the following, an MRI is not recommended:
• If you have a metallic, alien object such as some permanent piercing in your body, or have had rods or nails fitted in during surgery
• If you’ve had any kind of surgery in the past couple of weeks
• If you are pregnant and are in the middle of your trimester. Though an MRI does not use ionising radiation which is harmful to the foetus, it is still not advisable to go for this scan if you’re pregnant.
• If you have a pacemaker installed in your body
• If you’ve had a cochlear transplant done

When do doctors recommend an MRI?

As an MRI can provide a clearer picture of your muscles, tissues, bones and any discrepancies within them. Hence, it is highly useful for diagnosis of medical issues. 

For instance, in the cases of brain tumours or to detect any anomaly in the brain, an MRI is recommended. The MRI will take an accurate photo of the extra tumour or growth that is witnessed around the brain.
Not only can the doctors point the exact location of the tumour with respect to its co-ordinates, they can map the growth or reduction of the tumour too. Also, during surgery, this accuracy helps in preventing unnecessary complications. Because it provides a closer look at the body, tissue damage can also be spotted in an MRI.

There are different types of MRI. Because of its accuracy in detection of tumours, an MRI scan is mostly used in the treatment of cancer. This is specially the case with neurological cancer. In a staggering improvement, it can also track responsiveness of the nervous system to various stimuli which can help doctors find out where the problem exactly lies. This is possible as images are taken just seconds apart. 
A variation of the MRI is MRA which is Magnetic Resonance Angiography that works in a similar fashion but tracks the flow of blood. It can help spot a blocked aneurysm or a tear in the vessel. Apart from these uses, MRIs are used in cases of bone fracture where a CT scan is not used.

What can you expect before the scan?

Once you have filled in your personal history and are eligible for an MRI, you are injected with a fluid called as contrast medium. This dye is fed into your body to provide better visibility of internal body structure, much like an ink is filled in a refill.

The most commonly used agents are gadolinium-based. They are biologically friendly and have no side effects. But if you are allergic to certain medicines, it is advisable to inform your doctor beforehand.
It is better to be well informed about the workings of an MRI machine and the scan to dispel any apprehensions you might have about the same. As is clear by now, MRI is a large modification to CT scan, and in many ways more accurate and effective than the later.

What does it cost to get an MRI done?

Cost of an MRI scan can be anywhere between Rs. 1500 – Rs.25000, depending upon the body part being tested and in which part of the city, the test is being done. Other expenses may be added that include the number of technicians needed to perform the exam and the equipment needed to process the image.