Open MRI
An Open MRI is open on all four sides, providing airflow, a clear line of sight, breathing room, and added comfort for the patient. Many patients who are uncomfortable with enclosed spaces prefer the comfort of the Open MRI. It can also be a better choice for children who get nervous in a closed MRI.
Closed MRI
Closed MRI’s have been used in medical diagnostic imaging for a very long time and incorporate a capsule-like space to take high quality images. The machine is actually a magnet the patient lies in, and a radio wave is used to send signals to the body and receive corresponding information back.
MRI / MRA
Both an MRI and MRA are noninvasive and painless diagnostic tools used to view tissues, bones, or organs inside the body.
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) creates detailed images of organs and tissues. An MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) focuses more on the blood vessels than the tissue surrounding it.
If your doctor is looking for issues within the blood vessels, they’ll often schedule an MRA for you. Here’s what you need to know about these two tests:
An MRI is a type of scan used to view internal body parts.
This can include the organs, tissues, and bones. The MRI machine creates a magnetic field and then bounces radio waves through the body that work to map the scanned part of the body.
Sometimes during MRIs, the doctor must use contrast agents that help the radiologist to see the body part being scanned more thoroughly.
An MRA is a type of MRI exam.
Usually, the MRA is done in conjunction with the MRI. MRAs evolved from MRIs to give doctors the ability to look at blood vessels more thoroughly.
The MRA is composed of MRI signals that include spatial data.
Before either an MRI or MRA exam, you’ll be asked if you have any issues that would interfere with the MRI machine or your safety.
These can include:
- tattoos
- piercings
- medical devices
- implants
- pacemakers
- joint replacements
- metal of any kind
The MRI is done with a magnet, therefore items containing metal can pose a hazard to the machine and your body.
If you’re getting an MRA, you may need a contrast agent. This will be injected into your veins. It will be used to give the images more contrast so that your veins or arteries will be easier to see.
You might be given earplugs or ear protection of some sort. The machine is loud and has the potential to harm your hearing.
You’ll be asked to lay on a table. The table will slide into the machine.
It may feel tight inside the machine. If you’ve experienced claustrophobia in the past, you should let your doctor know before the procedure.
MRI and MRA risks
The risks for MRIs and MRAs are similar.
If you have the need for an intravenous contrast agent, you may have an added risk associated with the injection. Other risks can include:
- heating of the body
- skin burns from radio frequency
- magnetic reactions from objects within your body
- hearing damage
Health risks are very rare with MRIs and MRAs. The FDA receives roughly 300 reports a year out of the millions of MRI scans performed.