What is MRI ?

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Extract from the article: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a common test or technique used to accurately explore the inside of the body. MRI scans can be taken to examine different parts of the body and determine whether you have certain diseases, for example, ...

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a common test or technique used to accurately explore the inside of the body.   MRI scans can be taken to examine different parts of the body and determine whether you have certain diseases, for example, to diagnose cancer and determine its stage, how far it has spread, and to help plan treatment. MRI is the reference examination for intracranial pathologies : ischemic stroke, tumors, malformations, multiple sclerosis, degenerative brain diseases. This is also the case for diseases of the spinal cord. MRI has found an important place in the analysis of tumoral, inflammatory or degenerative diseases of bones, joints, muscles, tendons and cartilage. Today, radiologists also use MRI to analyze abdominal tumor pathologies (liver, kidney, pancreas, pelvis) and certain blood vessel diseases.

MRI examinations are generally carried out on an outpatient basis, either in hospital or in a specialized MRI center. The examination usually lasts between 30 and 50 minutes, but can take up to 2 hours depending on the region or body part to be examined. If general anesthesia is required, the examination may last longer.   MRI does not use radiation, and there are no known harmful effects. MRI results are immediate. The specialist analyzes the images, then delivers the results to the patient, who leaves with the images printed on paper.

How does MRI work ?

MRI is an imaging test that uses magnetism rather than radioactivity. It uses a powerful magnet to generate a magnetic field that acts on the hydrogen atoms contained in the body's tissues and fluids. The magnetic field detects a wave coming from each atom in the body, the frequency of which enables it to be located.

A number of hospitals in Togo offer this service. These include the Togolese Association for Family Welfare (ATBEF) imaging center, the Lomé Medical Imaging Center (CIMLO) at the Saint Joseph Polyclinic, and the MRI unit at the Clinic Mère et Enfant. The price of an MRI in Lomé can cost 99,000 FCFA and more.

Jean ELI