MRI question???!
Question: hi,
I am doing my science project on an MRI scan. I am almost done, but my last question is it always accurate? Like what types of conditions can an MRI miss? I can't find it anywhere.
Thank-you so much=)
Answers: hi,
I am doing my science project on an MRI scan. I am almost done, but my last question is it always accurate? Like what types of conditions can an MRI miss? I can't find it anywhere.
Thank-you so much=)
Go to the following site, and choose which MRI procedure you are interested in (brain, body, breast etc). Scroll down to the end of each "topic" to the section named "What are the limitations of MRI?" It will give you all kinds of conditions which can be missed on MRI.
For example, for the head:
"Also, MRI may not be as sensitive as CT in the detection of intracranial bleeding....MRI may not always distinguish between tumor tissue and edema fluid. It cannot detect calcium present in a tumor. Detection of calcium (in tumors or other issues) is limited with MRI."
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/sitema...
I know it can miss subtle tears. ie. might not be able to rule out a rotator cuff tear or meniscus tear if it isn't a really bad or obvious one. Don't know if that helps though.
an MRI is for seeing tissue, they are pretty accurate, now if they get read wrong by the radiologist that is a different story but for the most part they are, you will see major abnormalities but sometimes you may not be able to see small tears or strains
Nirav
i think they are pretty accurate. they are really loud too! but i think they usually only get messed up when they are read wrong.