Magnetic Ressonance Imaging (MRI) is an advanced imaging diagnostic non invasive procedure, which uses the response of the molecules of the organism when they are submitted to distinct and specific magnetic fields. This response allows the physician to obtain images in the sagital, dorsal and transversal plane in different types of images, this way obtaing specific characteristics for each lesion
One of the grreatest assets of the MRI is the ability to study the brain parenchyma, something that CT scans cannot do in detail. In reality, when we speak about the central nervous system, the MRI offers better quality and detail when compared to CT scan, that is the reason why in neurologic cases, in geral, the MRI is prefered over the CT scan. Moreover, the MRI is capable of obtaining certain images that the CT just cannot produced, being a high value diagnostic exam for Veterinarians.
Another advantage of the MRI is that it does not use ionizing radiation, this means, that it doesn’t use a type of radiation which is potentialy hamrful, at least until any studies done until this date. MRI uses magnets and radio waves with the assist of computers in order to obtain it’s image.
Advantages of using MRI:
Neurocranium studies – When the Veterinarian has a possible intracranial pathology, the best diagnosis tool available is the MRI. This has the ability to differentiate the structures of the brain, being the best exam for intracranial pathologylike meningitis, meningoencefalitis, encefalitis, epilepsy exclusion diagnosis, brain vascular diseases, intracranial neoplasias, neuritis amongst others.
Spine studies – In a lot of spine pathology, wheter they may be cervical or thoracolumbar, the gold standard is the MRI, even though the CT scan can diagnose some spine pathologies, there are some, like mielitis, embolism, which only the MRI can diagnose.
Knee Joint studies – In cases of ligaments, meniscs and articulation of the knee, the MRI has an ability to diagnose that neither the CT or conventional X-ray can do. Being the best exam for diagnosis of this type of pathologies
