MRI Diagnostics: Uses and Limitations

MRI uses magnetic fields to create various types of cross-sectional and three-dimensional images.
Share
Favorite
Close

No account yet? Register

ADVERTISEMENT

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to create various types of cross-sectional and three-dimensional images. While commonly used by physicians, MRI has only been used in equine clinical cases for the past decade and has come into widespread use just within the past five years. This modality provides superior soft tissue and bone detail, allows detection of abnormalities in an earlier state of disease, and is considered the gold standard in many cases.

Magnetic field strength is measured in Tesla (T). The strength of the magnetic field varies between types of magnets but is typically between 0.3 T and 1.5 T for most magnets currently in routine equine clinical use. Increased magnetic field strength means that examinations can be obtained with higher resolution in a shorter time. The strong magnetic field causes the molecules in the body to align slightly differently than they do while under only the influence of the earth’s magnetic field. This influence allows us to manipulate the molecules using targeted electromagnetic gradients and radiofrequency pulses in various ways to gain more information about the tissues.

A typical MRI examination produces hundreds of individual images to be reviewed and usually takes between one and two hours to complete. Specific sequences are optimized to highlight regions of inflammation, changes in anatomical structure, or areas of chronic damage.

Magnetic resonance imaging is often used when other imaging modalities such as radiography, ultrasonography, or nuclear scintigraphy have failed to provide a specific diagnosis. These failures may be due to the fact that the changes are very subtle and cannot be diagnosed using these methods. Since an MRI examination can be time consuming and often requires general anesthesia, it is extremely important for the area of interest be identified as specifically as possible, as it is not feasible to examine an entire limb. In lameness cases, a thorough lameness examination to localize the problem is essential

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.

Share

Written by:

Related Articles

Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with

FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com

Sponsored Content

Weekly Poll

sponsored by:

Where do you primarily feed your horse?
294 votes · 294 answers

Readers’ Most Popular

Sign In

Don’t have an account? Register for a FREE account here.

Need to update your account?

You need to be logged in to fill out this form

Create a free account with TheHorse.com!