Special Tests
01
Magnetic Resonance Perfusion Imaging
Brain Perfusion MRI is an advanced imaging technique that uses specific sequences to observe and quantify the perfusion of blood through the brain vessels. The technique is a promising tool in the assessment of strokes, brain tumors, and even neurodegenerative diseases. Through the assistance of special MRI software, the procedure allows the identification of salvageable brain tissue known as penumbra following a stroke, as well as the detection of recurrent tumor cells of the brain.
02
Magnetic Resonance (MR) Enterography
MR Enterography is an imaging technique that uses a magnetic field to generate detailed images of your small intestine. This test allows physicians to diagnose many bowel disorders that include inflammation, bleeding, and obstruction. Unlike in enteroclysis, another bowel imaging procedure that inserts the contrast into the intestines invasively through a thin nasogastric tube. During an enterography, the patient will simply be asked to take an oral contrast to better highlight the bowels. Therefore, enterography is not only non-invasive but also does not require any radiation as in enteroclysis where the nasogastric tube is inserted in an x-ray room.
03
CARDIAC CT ANGIOGRAM
Cardiac CT angiogram is an imaging technique used to assess the coronary arteries of the heart and diagnose coronary artery disease. Ever since the development of the 256 slice CT scanner, coronary heart disease can now be diagnosed with high accuracy. As recent studies have shown, coronary CT angiogram has equivalent diagnostic abilities to that of a conventional coronary angiogram. Therefore, CT angiogram is slowly replacing conventional coronary angiogram for being highly invasive and requiring some hospital time post procedure.
04
NON-CONTRAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAM
Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA) is a specialized MRI procedure performed to evaluate different blood vessels. An MRA requires no radiation and is useful in diagnosing certain vascular diseases such as stenosis, aneurysms or even arteriovenous malformations. Generally, an angiogram requires a special dye during imaging in order to highlight the vessels, however, with the latest advances in MRI technology, highly diagnostic images can be produced without any contrast agents. The following lower limb angiogram is an example of a non-contrast MRA.
05
MAGNETIC RESONANCE NEUROGRAPHY
Magnetic Resonance Neurography (MRN) is a highly advanced imaging technique that is designed to yield detailed images of the peripheral nerves. During the procedure, the detected signal is generated directly from the nerve rather than from the surrounding tissue. This provides precise information about the internal state of the nerve such as swelling, compression or injury. Now thanks to the 3 teslas (T) MRI technology, tests that are considered too difficult to image can be obtained in the highest of quality. Some of these important tests include the following:
Brachial Plexus Neurography is an advance MRI procedure that is used to obtain images of the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is the network of nerves that extend from the spinal cord, through the cervicoaxillary canal, and into the armpit. This network is considered clinically challenging to an image, thus, a powerful magnetic strength as in the 3 teslas MRI is employed. The resulted images assist physicians in the diagnosis of multiple nerve diseases such as infection, inflammation and lesion formation.
Lumbosacral Plexus Neurography is an advanced MRI procedure that is used to obtain images of the lumbosacral plexus which consists of the lumbar, sacral and coccygeal nerves. Using the high resolution 3 Tesla MRI scanner, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities can be better diagnosed.
Breast MRI is a medical procedure that uses magnetic fields to generate detailed images of the breast tissue. The scan is most commonly used to screen females for breast cancer. However, it can also be used to check on the state of breast implants, the existence of breast abnormalities or the recurrence of breast canc
06
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE EXTREMITIES
Many different MRI procedures can be used during imaging of the extremities. Dependent on the region of interest, a suitable MRI procedure is chosen. Some of these special procedures include the following:
MR Arthrogram
An arthrogram is a special imaging technique used to evaluate many different joints such as the shoulder, the hip or the knee. During an MR arthrogram a contrast agent is injected into the joint prior to the MRI procedure in order to obtain a highly diagnostic image. Details shown in an MR arthrogram may be absent in a conventional joint MRI.
Wrist and Ankle MRI
Imaging of the wrist or ankle using MRI technology assists physicians in the diagnosis of multiple cartilage, tendon and ligament injuries without radiation. Due to the availability of certain special MRI accessories, images of high diagnostic accuracy can be produced in the absence of a contrast agent.
