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The
unique set of images produced as a result of your scan will be interpreted by
one of our radiologists who is specially trained in MR interpretation. These results
will be directly communicated to your physician with 24 hours, at which time he/she
can discuss the results with you. |
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Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI):
MRI is an advanced, modern technology
that produces unparalleled, detailed pictures of the inside of the human body.
MRI detects subtle differences between healthy and diseased tissues that cannot
be visualized on a normal xray examination. By using a large magnet, radio waves
and a highly sophisticated computer, your doctor can see inside your body. MRI
is normally a non-invasive test. Sometime, however, an injected contrast material
is required.
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Magnetic
Resonance Angiography (MRA) and Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV): |
| This
procedure utilizes MRI technology to detect, diagnose and aid in the treatment
of stroke and blood vessel diseases. The procedure is painless and images can
be obtained without using any contrast material, although a special form of contrast
agent is often given to make the MRI images even clearer. | |
| MRA/MRV
scans use a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to provide detailed
images of arteries & veins. These images are evaluated for stenosis (abnormal
narrowing), aneurysms (vessel wall dilatations at risk of rupture), or venous
thrombosis (the formation of a clot within a vessel). |
Magnetic
Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS):
This is an MRI technique that is utilized to measure the chemical composition
of diseased tissue within the brain without removing tissue or blood samples and
without using dangerous radiation. MRS is a unique imaging sequence ordered to
compliment standard MRI imaging to evaluate damaged brain tissue under special
circumstances. It uses the fact that different chemicals vibrate at different
frequencies (like a tuning fork) when stimulated by a magnet. The MRI machine
develops a graph displaying what chemicals are present in the brain and in what
amounts. |
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Diffusion
Weighted Imaging (DWI) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI):
Diffusion
MRI measures the diffusion of water molecules in biological tissues. DWI is highly
sensitive to the changes that occur in many types of lesions/damage in the brain.
DWI enhancement can appear within 5-10 minutes of the onset of stroke symptoms
on an MRI scan and can remain for up to two weeks.
Diffusion Tensor
Imaging enables water molecule diffusion to be measured in multiple directions.
This allows for the development of brain maps of white matter fiber directions
to examine areas of neural degeneration and demyelination in diseases like Multiple
Sclerosis.
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| Apparent
Diffusion Coefficient Mapping (ADC): |
ADC
Mapping is a functional tool applied to a Diffusion Weighted MR image to help
differentiate MRI artifacts from real brain ischemic lesions/stroke. This function
is a sensitive indicator for staging and determining what brain tissue is still
potentially salvageable after an ischemic stroke. |
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