Neuro Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Neuro magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), available through Atlantic Health System Neuroscience, uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to produce photographs and films of organs and structures inside the body. In many cases, MRI provides information that cannot be obtained from an x-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan.

During an MRI test, the area of the body being studied is positioned inside a strong magnetic field. The MRI can detect changes in the normal structure and characteristics of organs or other tissues caused by trauma, infection, inflammation, or tumors. Information from an MRI scan can be saved for further study. In some cases, a dye may be used during the MRI scan to enhance the pictures of certain structures. The contrast material may help evaluate blood flow, detect some types of tumors, and locate areas of inflammation.

MRI can diagnose a wide variety of neurological conditions, including:

Head and neck abnormalities

• Brain tumors, aneurysms, bleeding into the brain, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or infectious processes
• Optic nerve (eye) and pituitary gland issues
• Disease in the parotid glands, larynx, parathyroid gland
• Vertigo and hearing loss, acoustic neuroma and benign tumors of the internal auditory canal
• Congenital abnormalities

Spine

• Spinal stenosis
• Disc bulges and herniations
• Spinal tumors and blood vessel abnormalities