Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

What are the advantages compared to the risks?

MRI of the Bowels

Advantages:  Conventional colonoscopy is without a doubt a very effective method ? many patients, however, refuse them because it is painful, requires a sedative and in most cases the loss of a full workday.The conventional radiology examination of the small intestine is very time-consuming and requires x-rays.  The MRI in contrast is totally harmless and can be done quickly.
Risks: No side effects are known.The examination may be problematic for claustrophobic persons.MRI should be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy, when an ultra-sound is preferable.

MRI of the Chest, Stomach and Pelvis

Advantages:  MRIs of the thorax/abdomen/pelvis/liver/kidney are much clearer and more precise than other procedures.The MRI is an important tool in the determination of tumours, on which are based further therapy and the prognosis.The patient is not exposed to any x-rays.The contrasting agent, used with some MRI examinations, is easy to digest ? allergic reactions are extremely rare, compared to computer tomography.
Risks: No side effects are known.The examination may be problematic for a claustrophobic person.

Full-body MRI

Advantages:  The entire body can be viewed in one examination.  Should anything suspicious show up, more focused examination can clarify this.  During the search for bone deposits (metastasis) for example, no time-consuming skeletal scan involving radiation would be required.
Risks: No side effects are known.The examination may be problematic for claustrophobic persons.MRI should be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy, when an ultra-sound is preferable.

MRI of the Heart

Advantages:  MRI of the heart and of the large blood vessels are often clearer and much more accurate than other procedures.  Several questions can be answered in one examination.MR examinations of the heart are considered a fast and stress-free alternative to other heart examination methods.The patient is not exposed to any x-rays.The contrasting agent used with some MRI examinations is easy to digest ? allergic reactions are extremely rare, compared to computer tomography.
Risks: No side effects are known.The examination may be problematic for claustrophobic persons.MRI should be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy.  During this time an ultra-sound is preferable.

MRI of the Blood Vessels

Advantages:  With the MR Angiography (MRA) blood vessels can be shown without the insertion of a thin catheter and without risk of vessel injury.The MRA makes the depiction of blood vessels in the brain possible without administering contrasting agents.The patient is not exposed to any x-rays.The contrasting agent used with some MRI examinations is easy to digest ? allergic reactions are extremely rare, compared to computer tomography.
Risks: No side effects are known.The examination may be problematic for a claustrophobic person.MRI should be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy, when an ultrasound is preferable.

MRI of the Skull

Advantages: MR images of the skull are clearer and more accurate than other imaging processes.The patient is not exposed to any x-rays.The contrasting agent used with some MRI examinations is easy to digest ? allergic reactions are extremely rare, compared to computer tomography.
Risks: No side effects are known.The examination may be problematic for a claustrophobic person.MRI should be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy.  During this time an ultra-sound is preferable.

MRI of the therapeutic device

Advantages: MR images of soft tissue structures such as muscles, tendons, joint cartilages, ligaments and blood vessels are clearer and more accurate than other imaging processes.The examination is totally safe; the patient is not exposed to any x-rays.The contrasting agent used with some MRI examinations is easy to digest ? allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Risks:  No side effects are known.MRI should be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy.  During this time an ultrasound is preferable.The examination may be problematic for a claustrophobic person.

What to do if claustrophobic?