Magnetic resonance imaging
Written by:Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the most consolidated techniques in medical imaging diagnosis , which allows us to analyze and obtain images of any part of the body, in a non-invasive and innocuous way, since it is not an invasive method or uses any type of radiation
The technique consists in exposing the organism to the action of a powerful magnetic field, which acts by aligning the hydrogen atoms of the different tissues in the direction of the magnetic field itself. The punctual irruption of a radiofrequency wave causes them to recover the original position releasing energy and emitting a signal that is captured by the computer and transformed into an image.
During the analysis , different series of images are made. The duration of the test is variable depending on the area to be observed, the type of pathology and the findings that are found, although it usually lasts between 20 and 45 minutes.
Indications
The magnetic resonance allows to analyze a large part of the tissues and pathologies in the different structures of our organism. We can divide the indications into four preferred branches:
Cranial resonance It includes the brain tissue and all the structures contained in the skull and face.
Resonance of column. It covers the analysis of the vertebrae, the spinal cord and the adjacent structures.
Osteo-articular and musculoskeletal resonance. It includes bones, joints, muscle-ligament structures, vessels and peripheral nerves.
Abdominal and pelvic resonance. All organs of the abdominal cavity, biliary tract and gynecological analysis.
To these are added another type of indications , some already established as true specialties such as: vascular resonance, cardiac resonance, breast resonance or spectroscopy .
There are also other techniques that are developing and increasingly becoming more important, such as diffusion, perfusion of tissue and functional analysis that will increase in the very near future the indications and results of the Magnetic Resonance.
The teams
Creu Blanca has 3 open teams , and is the only private medical center in Catalonia that has 3 teams of 3 Teslas. Creu Blanca , following the trend of the US market (innovator and pioneer in the field of diagnostic imaging ) has already acquired a first resonance of 3 Teslas in 2010, another in 2012 and the last one in 2013.
That the equipment has 3 Teslas means to have twice the signal than in a team of 1.5, so the same analyzes can be performed but in half the time and with greater image clarity, which is why this type of equipment allows detect lesions much smaller than those that can be detected in a smaller capacity equipment.
Characteristics of 3 tesla resonances
Great comfort for the patient. The equipment consists of a large amplitude that guarantees the patient a greater space, reducing the feeling of anxiety and claustrophobia.
Noise reduction To mitigate the noise of the resonance, the patient is offered headphones with which he listens to music to reduce the noise of the machine, well, now the Vantage Titan has the technology "Pianissimo", an exclusive system that drastically reduces the acoustic noise inside and outside the examination room.
Reduction of acquisition time. Thanks to the SPEEDER acquisition technology it is possible not only to reduce the acquisition time of the images, but also to minimize the possible distortions.
