MRI
Alternative names:
magnetic resonance imaging; NMR; nuclear magnetic resonance
What the risks are:
There is no ionizing radiation and usually no contrast dye is needed. The procedure is safe in most cases, and there are no documented side effects. However, because the effects of strong magnetic fields on a fetus are not well documented at this time, pregnant women are usually advised to avoid MRI scans.
Because the strong magnets can displace or disrupt the action of implanted metallic objects, people with cardiac pacemakers cannot be scanned and should not enter the MRI scan area. MRI also should not be used for people with metallic objects in their bodies, such as artificial joints, inner ear (cochlear) implants, brain aneurysm clips, some artificial heart valves, and metallic foreign bodies in the eye or other body areas.
MRI is usually not recommended for acute trauma situations, because traction and life-support equipment cannot enter the scanner area and because of the long scan times.
For specific information about why the test is performed and normal and abnormal results, please see the specific MRI topics:
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