What Is MRI?
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields to look inside of humans and animals.
- Highly detailed images are generated from magnetic signals, which experienced veterinary radiologists then view and interpret via computer, allowing our clinicians to more accurately determine causes and locations of animal diseases and abnormalities.
Why Use MRI Technology?
Many diseases and conditions can be better diagnosed using MRI technology. Here are some examples:
- Neurologic diseases or cancer
- Brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves
- Imaging of the spine for tumors, infection, trauma or intervertebraldisc disease or herniation
- Musculoskeletal abnormalities including, tendon, ligament or muscular tear, tumor or infection
- Hepatic neoplasm and metastatic disease
- Renal, adrenal, pancreatic neoplasm
- Portosystemic shunt or other congenital or acquired vascular abnormalities evaluation
- Vascular thrombus or tumor
- Surgical planing
What to Expect
Veterinary patients must be anesthetized to undergo a MRI scan, since they must remain absolutely still during the procedure.
- The duration of anesthesia depends on the study needed, but usually last 1.5 to 2 hours.
- The patient is monitored using sophisticated equipment including electrocardiogram, blood pressure and respiratory monitoring devices.
- Modern anesthesia drugs allow for quick onset of and recovery from anesthesia.
- Under direct supervision by a board-certified anesthesiologist, anesthesia is administered by highly trained veterinary nurse-anesthetists who select the drugs and administration protocol according to each patient’s individual requirements.