Non-invasive method of imaging: Magnetic resonance (MR)

Magnetic resonance imaging is a diagnostic method used to produce two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of organs or structures inside the human body. The method, which has been used in the health care since 1980, is a unique and increasingly popular technique of making high-quality images without the use of radiation (which is used in X-ray, CT or nuclear medicine). Current technical inventions are constantly improving the quality of images, which clarifies and speeds up the patient's diagnosis. Digitization is now a part of each sector and its penetration into the health service / radiology is called digital radiography, or even computer radiography. According to experts, magnetic resonance is considered as the best method of radiodiagnostic.

 

What is the principle of magnetic resonance imaging?

Your body will be placed in a large superconducting magnet and exposed to a short pulse of electromagnetic waves. Radiofrequency pulses stimulate tiny particles - protons of hydrogen atoms that are found in the tissues of the human body. Protons are excited by this and consequently "relaxed". The result is that proton´s energy is emitted in the form of radio waves that can be detected by electromagnetic coils device. Signal intensity depends on the type of tissue. In human tissues the most "moveable 'protons are those found in hydrogen atoms in water in the body, which means that magnetic resonance imaging shows differences in water content in different tissues of the body. Tissues of a body organ can be distinguished after this procedure – e.g. gray and white matter in the brain. According to their intensity, the computer converts the signals into images depicting the structure of tissues, respectively bodies. These images are then displayed on the computer screen. Normally, magnetic resonance imaging examination consists of four to ten image sequences. Measure time of each of them is approximately twenty seconds to seven minutes. Each sequence shows the scanned plane of the scanned slice planes of investigated body areas with various characteristics.
Every MRI centre presented in this website uses the latest techniques that have been developed in Europe, so it enables us to scan the patient as precisely as possible. Some of these pictures can be seen in the photo gallery.