When Is an MRI Scan Warranted?

If you have undiagnosed pain or another troublesome symptom that needs further investigation for a correct diagnosis, your physician may prescribe an MRI. An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a noninvasive test that yields detailed 2D or 3D images of the inside of your body. 

An MRI can reveal more specific information about problems with any of your organs, such as your kidneys or liver; your soft tissue such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments; and your bones. It can identify the etiology of problems ranging from those in brain tissue to your pelvic region.

Our radiologists at REDI Diagnostics Corp in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, are experts who can provide the keys to understanding your medical problem and providing the correct diagnosis using MRIs and other imaging tests. Following are types of medical problems an MRI can help diagnose. 

Problems in your brain, spinal cord, and spinal discs

One of the most common reasons for an MRI is low back pain with or without leg pain. Back pain is also one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor. It’s a leading cause of workplace disability claims, costing millions in lost productivity each year. 

If you’ve had severe leg pain for more than a month, or intense back pain for more than three months, and it hasn’t been alleviated through physical therapy or other means, your doctor likely will order an MRI to diagnose one of many back conditions such as lumbar spinal stenosis, herniated or bulging discs, and more. 

Surgeons use information from pre-surgery MRIs to aid in investigating details for a spinal decompression procedure and details of the nerve root for lumbar spinal fusion. 

MRIs can diagnose multiple sclerosis, a spinal cord disorder, as well as detect a brain infection, a buildup of fluid on your brain, and a stroke. 

Cancer, tumors, and cysts 

An MRI provides images of brain and spinal cord tumors. Doctors may be able to detect whether a tumor is cancerous or not. 

You may come to your doctor with a presenting problem such as pelvic pain, changes in bowel or bladder habits, fatigue, nausea, or other symptoms. Perhaps during a routine visit your internist or specialist feels a lump or notes an abnormality that needs investigation. These scenarios can all be investigated with an MRI. 

The test can aid in identifying gastrointestinal diseases as well as various types of cancer, from uterine and ovarian to bladder and prostate. MRIs can spot growths or lesions on your liver, thyroid, adrenal glands, and more.

Joint disease or damage 

Orthopedic surgeons request MRIs to help assess joint damage; it can show damage to tendons and ligaments. An MRI can also reveal whether arthritis is worsening. 

MRI scanner

REDI Diagnostic Corp uses the most advanced equipment on the market today, the 1.5 Tesla GE Healthcare short bore MRI scanner. You’ll spend less time getting an MRI in our facility than in many others because this scanner works faster. It’s also roomy, which helps if you feel claustrophobic.  

Call our office or book an appointment online today, if you need an MRI or other imaging test.