Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a type medical imaging that creates high resolution, contrast enhanced, three dimensional images of your pets internal anatomy. MRI makes use of the property of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to image nuclei of atoms inside the body. Unlike traditional radiographs, MRI uses no ionizing radiation for acquiring the images.
While CT scans provide good spatial resolution (the ability to distinguish two separate structures small distances from each other), MRI provides comparable resolution with far better contrast resolution (the ability to distinguish the differences between two similar but not identical tissues). Therefore, MRI is particularly useful for evaluating soft tissue structures such as complex joints, brain and the spinal cord. It allows veterinarians to precisely pinpoint the size and location of lesions not possible with traditional imaging. This information is critical for proper diagnosis, localization and in assessing responses to therapy.
The procedure itself takes 1-3 hours. For comfort and to prevent motion artifact, pets must be placed under short term anesthesia. Therefore, please fast them from food beginning 12 hours prior to testing. Depending on the needs of you pet this test can be performed on an outpatient basis or while hospitalized. If your veterinarian has recommended an MRI for you pet, the specific details of their imaging will be discussed with you prior to the procedure
