How reliable are MRI scans?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines are the advanced technology involving advanced techniques in viewing internal structures of your body. It records the abnormal signals generating from your tissues from the scanned area and convert it to an image which is then used for diagnosing diseases in your body.
Your doctor may advise you for an MRI scan when you are seriously ill, and another test has failed to detect the cause of suffering. It is a next-level diagnostic procedure and a part of good clinical practice to make an accurate diagnostic decision to start treatment as soon as possible.
To undergo MRI scan gives a hope to the patient and the doctor to detect and a better understanding of the disease. However, the reliability of MRI scan data may depend on the functioning of scan components, the strength of the magnets and radio waves that are used to generate images of structures in the body.
The quality of the machines with poor processing system may produce a poor quality image that may not provide accurate and precise information. Moreover, since a technician operates the MRI machine, there are chances of human error showing invaluable information.
The skill of the interpreter may also determine the reliability of MRI report. The abnormal tissue signals may have recorded without any error, but the interpretation sometimes can be made incorrectly due to lack of knowledge, which may lead to treatments that are not needed.
However, MRI is preferred over CT scan and X-ray scan, because it shows every bit of structures of your body, and it produces detailed images and gives accurate information. Also, if a CT scan and X-ray are not enough to diagnose a disease, MRI is done to detect and confirm diseases and injuries. It is mainly advised to detect abnormalities in the brain and spinal cord.
Conclusion
It is pain-free and comfortable to get an MRI scan. It is also considered safe as harmful radiation are not used. It has faster processing time, and the computer system immediately prints out the report, which saves time and shortens the hospital stay. Above all, it is highly reliable if the scanning machine is at its best condition and the interpreter is skillful.