MRI has become the modality of choice when imaging soft tissue densities and recently, MRI breast scans have become an accessory exam to regular screening mammography. Breast MRI’s are becoming a standard for women with especially high risks of developing breast cancer due to MRI’s ability to superbly image soft tissues with high contrast. Breast MRI’s have several advantages over traditional mammography. Breast MRI’s are more likely to catch abnormal cells in the breast as the scans are usually performed with image enhancing contrast agents which highlights areas of interest (Newstead, 2012). MRI also does not utilize ionizing radiation to produce images which is a great advantage for some patients. Another advantage of breast MRI is superior
imaging of women with breast implants over mammography and MRI does not require the use of compression devices which can be painful for patients, especially those with smaller breasts (Newstead, 2012). If the MRI was to show abnormal, cancerous cells, a plan for treatment can be formulated with precise locations and borders of the abnormal cells defined by MRI images (Newstead, 2012). While MRI is a great tool to use when imaging breasts, especially dense breasts, there are some limitations to the study. First, MRI is contraindicated for any patient with non-compatible, implanted devices such as pacemakers. Studies performed on the effectiveness of MRI in detecting breast cancer saw a substantial increase in the number of negative biopsies performed (Newstead, 2012). This is partly due to the fact that MRI superbly images soft tissues highlighting any area of abnormal cells. This can cause stress and undue worry for the patient. Another drawback for breast MRI is the hefty price tag attached to the scan (Newstead, 2012). Many insurance companies will not pay for the breast MRI unless the patient has a family history of breast cancer and is considered high risk. There is also an issue with claustrophobia in some patients making a simple exam extremely stressful. One other major drawback for breast MRI is the fact that is does not accurately image possible ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (Newstead, 2012). DCIS is when tumors develop only in the breast ducts and is considered a precancerous condition (Stephan, 2014). While not all DCIS become cancerous, there is a possibility and early detection can mean a difference between life and death for some patients.
In the study, New Technologies Applied to Ultrasound Diagnosis of Sport Injuries, José Fernando Jiménez Díaz compares ultrasound images taken from two different portable sonography devices. As a result, the new ultrasound device with 3D technology provided a more defined image of the injury when compared to the conventional ultrasound device. The use of this new technology will not only produced a superior image, but also allows doctors to develop a reliable diagnosis and provide an effective treatment.
The MRI, on the other hand is less expensive and much safer (as it doesn’t expose the patient to potentially harmful radioactive chemicals). The MRI or magnetic resonance imaging device, as an safer alternative, applies a powerful magnetic field around the head of the patient.
MRI is a unique machine that not only helps people, but also detects if something is wrong inside a patient’s body. MRI machines are getting more advanced each year and every year it saves lives. According to MedicineNet, “It provides valuable information on glands and organ within the abdomen, and accurate information about the structure of the joints, soft tissues, and bones of the body. Often, surgery can be deferred or more accurately directed after knowing the results of an MRI scan.” Doctors will be doing less guessing and more knowing when it comes to surgery.
The decision to have breast reconstruction is a personal one. Getting as much information as possible is the first step in making this decision. Knowing how this procedure is done is part of that investigative process.
During the late 1970's, the world of diagnostic imaging changed drastically due to the introduction of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, also known as MRI. For over 30 years, they have grown to become one of the most significant imaging modalities found in the hospitals and clinics ("EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND FACULTY INFORMATION"). During its ancient days, these machines were referred to as NMRI machines or, “Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” The term “nuclear” comes from the fact that the machine has the capability of imaging an atom's nucleus. Eventually, the term was dropped and replaced with just MRI, because “nuclear” did not sit well with the public view ("EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND FACULTY INFORMATION"). Many people interpreted the machine to produce an excess amount of radiation in comparison to the traditional X-ray machine. What many of them were unaware of, MRI does not disperse a single ounce of ionizing radiation making it one of the safest diagnostic imaging machine available to this date. MRI machines actually use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce high quality images consisting of precise details that cannot be seen on CT (Computed Tomography) or X-ray. The MRI magnet is capable of fabricating large and stable magnetic fields making it the most important and biggest component of MRI. The magnet in an MRI machine is measured on a unit called Tesla. While regular magnets commonly use a unit called gauss (1 Tesla = 10,000 gauss). Compared to Earth's magnetic field (0.5 gauss), the magnet in MRI is about 0.5 to 3.0 tesla range meaning it is immensely strong. The powerful magnetic fields of the machine has the ability to pull on any iron-containing objects and may cause them to abruptly move with great for...
MRI is a procedure, in wide use since the 80s, to see the anatomy of the internal organs of the body. It is based on the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), first described in landmark papers over fifty years ago (Rabi et al. 1938; Rabi, Millman, and Kusch 1939; Purcell et al. 1945; Bloch, Hansen, and Packard 1946) (4 ). . The MRI is a valuable diagnostic and research tool with also practical applications for surgical planning and conquering diseases. This imaging procedure is painless and non-invasive although sometimes discomforting as the patient lies down in a body tube that surrounds them. For many years, closed MRI units have been the standard in helping physicians make a diagnosis. These closed MRI units featured a long tube that the patient would be placed inside during their procedure. This was often uncomfortable for many patients due to the "closed in" feeling and was especially stressful for patients who suffer from claustrophobia. The newest generation of MRI units is now open on all four sides which completely alleviates the "closed in" feeling, while still providing the physician with the most accurate information possible to aid in diagnosis (2).. A patient does not see or feel anything. A faint knocking sound may be heard as the machine processes information. Patients may choose to listen to music -- even having the option of bringing their own CDs to listen to. Most MRI procedures take less than an hour. MRI technology is based on three things: magnetism, radiofrequency and computers. The magnetic resonance machine, is a big and strong magnet. When the body is inside, every proton of the body is oriented in the same way (for instance, with the positive pole up). Water ...
Over the past decade breast cancer has become one of the most predominant diseases in the United States. Breast cancer starts out as a malignant tumor in the tissues of the breast which is formed from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal breast cells. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can also appear in men. (Stephan, 2010)
Breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in Stage I and Stage II, where the size of the tumor is less than five centimeters in diameter. In these situations, surgery is often the second treatment option after chemotherapy and radiation therapy, both of which are used to shrink the tumor to a manageable size first. If the patient chooses to, the ...
Giurescu, M., Hu, T., & Obembe, O. (2010). Role of imaging in breast cancer detection.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered as one of the pioneers in medical imaging for diagnosis of pathologies involving soft tissues and internal structures. MRI provides good contrast resolution between different soft tissues of the body especially in brain, muscles, heart etc compared to other medical imaging modalities like computed tomograpgy (CT) and conventional radiography which utilizes x-rays for imaging. The other important aspect of MRI versus other imaging modalities like CT and conventional radiography is that MRI uses no ionizing radiation like x-rays for imaging, instead it uses a strong magnetic field to align the magnetization of some atoms within the body , then uses radiofrequency pulses to systematically alter the alignment of this magnetization. This process causes the nuclei of certain atoms to produce a magnetic field which can be detected by the scanner, and all this information is used to reconstruct an MR image of the scanned area of the body. The initial experiments by Sir Otto Stern in the year 1922 stated that physically the magnetic resonance ima...
All in all, MRI is a great imaging modality to properly diagnose a patient. MRI has many advantages and does not use any type of radiation. Even though MRI has been around for about a century it has gained a lot of advancement in the image quality. MRI allows a wide variety of anatomy to be imaged such as soft tissue, spine work, and organs. Like any imaging modality MRI does have a couple of disadvantages, but the advantages out way the risks. MRI will continue to improve and will be one of the best imaging modalities in the medical field.
To be completely honest, I do not know much about MRI machines; however, I did come across the device many times when I was with my clients at the hospital. I work as an interpreter, and I sometimes go with clients when they have an appointment with their doctors for x-rays or CAT scans, or even MRI scan. Nevertheless, I did have an MRI scan several times in my life. All I knew was that an MRI machine was a device which was used to take images of body just like the images taken by X-rays, CAT scans and Mammogram.
I. Radiation therapy hasn't always been something everyone found to be safe,usable, or effective.It has been cosidered dangerous and sometimes fatal, some also believe radiation therapy will cause the patient to not to get better but to make get worse and very ill. Some people with open minds ponder the question does radiation therapy really cause you to get worse?Radiation therapy can do you good because it kills of cancer cells which could save your life depending on the severity of it. Radiation therapy doesn’t cause harm.
Skravanek, P. (1988). The debate over mass mammography in Britain: Br Med J; 297: 1542.
Throughout history, many individuals whom are disabled have been unaware how important a mammogram really is until it is too late. Having a mammogram shows if there are any cancerous lumps formed inside a women’s breast. People with intellectual disabilities may not know the meaning of mammograms due to the fact they learn a lot slower than most human beings. Remaining a healthy life contains having test ran that could be painful and the outcome could be upsetting. Unlike individuals without disabilities, women who have disabilities are more likely not to have a mammogram when they reach the appropriate age.