A Guide to Getting an MRI Scan

Perhaps you have been asked by your General Physician to get an MRI done. Before you start Googling MRI scan near me, it is a smart move to make sure that you do your research about what you can expect. While it may seem scary to be asked to get the test done, being informed can help get rid of that anxiety.

So here goes.

A Medical Imaging Technique

The MRI brain cost in Delhi is between Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000. It is a procedure that will involve a medical imaging technique that will use a magnetic field coupled with computer-generated radio waves to create high-quality images of the tissues and organs within the body. Modern MRI machines are usually shaped like a tube and are magnetic in nature and there is a susceptible pull of magnetic forces when you lie inside the machine. This is because there is a temporary realignment of the water molecules in your body which is used to produce faint signals.

What all this leads to is cross-sectional MRI images or even 3D images that can be viewed from various angles.

Why Do People Get MRI Scans Done?

If you have been asked by your doctor to find out a place for an ‘’MRI scan near me’’, it can be perplexing to not know what it is meant for. Many times, doctors in India do not want to explain more. That’s okay because below you will find a list of things why people get this test done.

MRI is basically a non-invasive procedure that lets a doctor study the internal tissues and organs in your body with the help of high-resolution images. 

MRI of Spinal Cord and Brain

Most commonly, MRI scams of the spinal cord and brains are used to study the spinal cord and the brain. They are used in the diagnosis of:

  • Tumours
  • Stroke
  • Aneurysm of cerebral vessels
  • Disorders of the spinal cord
  • Brain injuries from trauma
  • Multiple sclerosis

A more complex type of scan is used to find out whether there is blood flow to certain areas of the brain. This is used in helping identify the areas of the brain where a person will be undergoing brain surgery that is typically used for language and other daily functions of life.

MRI of Blood Vessels and the Heart

MRI scans are also done for the blood vessels and the heart to assess the following:

  • The function and size of the chambers of the heart
  • The thickness of the walls of the heart
  • What the extent of damage is to the heart and blood vessels following a stroke or heart attack
  • Dissections and aneurysms of the aorta
  • Blockages within the blood vessels

MRI of Bones and Joints

If your doctor has asked you to get MRI done of the bones and the joints, then it may be to check for tumours or abnormalities in those places. These areas of the body may be the following:

  • Prostrate
  • Ovaries
  • Uterus
  • Pancreas
  • Spleen
  • Kidneys
  • Liver

MRI of the Breasts

MRI scans along with mammography can help diagnose breast cancer. This is especially true for women who have a high risk of the disease or have somewhat dense breast tissue.

MRI Brain Cost

If you have been told by your doctor to get an MRI scan of the brain, then it is in your best interest to get it done as early as possible. MRI brain cost in Delhi will likely be between Rs 5000 and Rs 15000. Of course, the final bill will be dependent on the laboratory test company you go to.

Are There Any Risks Involved in Getting an MRI?

MRI scans will involve the use of powerful magnets so if there is any presence of metals in your body, the magnets are going to attract them. Even if these metals are not attracted to the magnets, they can cause distortion of the MRI images.

That is why ensuring that your body does not contain metals or any electronic devices is crucial. 

There is very little risk of undergoing an MRI scan and most people get it done without any issues. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women should speak to their doctors before they undergo the test. Chances are that the doctor will ask them to postpone the snack until later or suggest an alternative test.

What Can You Expect During and After an MRI

As a person who has been researching MRI scan costs, it is obvious that you feel stressed and anxious. Knowing what to expect during and after the scan, will calm your nerves.

During the Procedure

First, you will have to lie down on a movable table that will slide into position inside the tube-like MRI machine. There will be a technologist monitoring you from another room. Since radio waves and magnetic fields are activated during the procedure, you must stay as still as possible. It is completely painless because you won’t feel anything.

You can however expect quite a bit of tapping and thumping noises from the machine and you may even be given earplugs to block out the noises.

In some cases, a contrasting material is passed through a vein in the arm or hand to get better images. The procedure will last from anything between 15 minutes to an hour.

After the Procedure

If you haven’t received any sedative drugs before the procedure commenced, you will be back to normal and be able to start operating normally right after the procedure. The technologist may ask you to stay for a bit if you have been given a sedative.

Now that you know all about MRI scans and what they can cost, you are in a position to make an informed decision as far as the test is concerned.