There is a cardinal rule that patients hear as they prepare for an MRI: they cannot have any metal accessories on their body during the scan. That means anything from buttons and belts to retainers and piercings. Certain metal implants inside bodies, like pacemakers, are also unsafe for MRIs, unless otherwise stated in a manufacturer’s […]
PET Scan Can Be Used to Track Progression of Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s disease is one of the severest diseases a person could suffer. It is a deadly, genetic, and irreversible disorder that gradually breaks down the cells in the brain. Its symptoms have been described as a combination of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS, and every child whose parent has it has a 50% chance of developing […]
Kidney Damage and Future Function Can Be Measured and Predicted by MRI
Researchers from a Canadian hospital have successfully performed a kind of MRI test, called an elastogram, to map the stiffness of kidney tissue among people who have had kidney transplants. Determining the stiffness of kidney tissue helps measure scarring in the organ, because healthy tissues are softer than damaged ones.
Double Prevention: The Crucial Role of MRI in Managing Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American males, and is projected to affect 161,360 new patients this year alone. However, even if one in 39 men usually die of it, relative survival rates are at least 96%. Early detection through prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings, digital rectal exams (DRE), and biopsies help prevent the […]
MRI Can Be Reliable Detector of Early-Stage Cancer in Patients with LFS
According to researchers at the National Cancer Institute, rapid whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is “a feasible strategy for detecting early-stage disease” in patients with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS). This is because whole-body scans can identify cancerous cells even before symptoms surface. These early scans may also serve as baselines should continuous evaluations be needed.
3 Ways to Make Getting an MRI Comfortable for Kids – and Adults Too
An MRI is understandably uncomfortable for children because of the tight space, noises, and lying still involved; their discomfort can also make the experience difficult for the adults accompanying them.