Information courtesy the Cleveland Clinic
A brain (head) MRI scan is a painless test that produces very clear images of the structures inside of your head — mainly, your brain. Healthcare providers use brain MRIs to evaluate, diagnose and monitor several different medical conditions that affect your brain or other structures in your head.
A brain or head MRI shows your brain, blood vessels, skull, structures in your inner ear and inner eye and more.
Healthcare providers order brain MRIs for several different reasons, including to help diagnose new neurological conditions or to monitor existing conditions.
What is a brain MRI?
A brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, also called a head MRI, is a painless procedure that produces very clear images of the structures inside of your head — mainly, your brain. MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves and a computer to produce these detailed images. It doesn’t use radiation.
Currently, MRI is the most sensitive imaging test of your head (particularly, your brain), as compared to other imaging techniques, such as CT (computed tomography) scans or X-rays.
What is a brain MRI with contrast?
Some brain MRI exams use an injection of contrast material. The contrast agent is often gadolinium, which is a rare earth metal. When this substance is present in your body, it alters the magnetic properties of nearby water molecules, which enhances the quality of the images. This improves the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic images.
Contrast material enhances the visibility of the following: Tumors. Inflammation. Certain organs’ blood supply. Blood vessels. The contrast can also help diagnose multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia and infection.
If your brain MRI requires a contrast material, your healthcare provider will insert an intravenous catheter (IV line) into a vein in your hand or arm. They’ll use this IV to inject the contrast material.
Contrast materials are safe intravenous (IV) drugs. Side effects, ranging from mild to severe, do occur, but severe reactions are very rare.
What is the difference between a head MRI and a brain MRI?
A head MRI and a brain MRI are the same procedure. They both provide images of the inside of your head. While healthcare providers most often use head and brain MRIs to assess your brain, these imaging procedures provide images of other structures in your head, too, such as facial bones, blood vessels and nerves.
Why would a neurologist order an MRI of the brain?
Neurologists and other healthcare providers order brain MRIs for several different reasons, including helping diagnose new neurological conditions based on certain symptoms or to monitor existing conditions.
Some of the conditions a brain MRI can help diagnose or monitor include:
A blood clot in your brain. Brain aneurysm. Brain hemorrhage. Brain infections (encephalitis). Brain damage associated with epilepsy. Brain tumors and cysts. Certain chronic neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Dementia. Hydrocephalus. Pituitary gland issues, such as a pituitary adenoma. Stroke.
Issues with brain development or structure, such as Chiari malformation, and malformations of cortical development. (The term ‘cortical’ refers to the outer layer of your cerebrum.)
Healthcare providers also use brain and head MRI scans before surgeries involving your head to better prepare for the surgery. They also use these scans to ensure that healing from the surgery is going well. Any significant injuries involving your head also prompt healthcare providers to order brain MRI scans to check for injuries, bleeding and swelling.
Who performs a brain MRI?
A radiologist or a radiology technologist will perform your brain (head) MRI. A radiologist is a medical doctor who performs and interprets imaging tests to diagnose conditions. A radiology technologist is a healthcare provider who’s specially trained and certified to perform an MRI scan.
How does a brain MRI work?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) works by passing an electric current through coiled wires to create a temporary magnetic field in your body — in this case, your head. A transmitter/receiver in the machine then sends and receives radio waves. The computer then uses these signals to make digital images of the structures inside of your head, including your brain.
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