MR Indications

What are some indications, advantages and disadvantages of MRI?

Indications

  • Tumors
  • Stroke
  • Epilepsy
  • Demyelination
  • Infection
  • Cranial Nerve palsy
  • Chronic headache
  • Dementia

Advantages

  • Exquisite soft tissue contrast between normal tissue (ie white matter, gray matter) and pathologic tissue.
  • Customize imaging technique to answer specific questions.
  • No ionizing radiation.
  • Directly image in any plane.
  • Ability to do functional MRI

Disadvantage

  • Higher cost, limited access
  • Difficult for unstable pts
  • Claustrophobia
  • Absolute contraindications
  • Not as great for bony detail