MRI

When should I use an MRI?

MRI is a powerful imaging modality that allows us to safely and quickly gain both anatomical and functional information about our patients without the need for invasive procedures. The detail provided by MRI is so much better than other imaging modalities that it is considered the gold standard for imaging soft tissues, especially the brain and spine.

For example:

  1. In a study of elbow joint fractures, radiographs only detected fractures 33% of the time. MRI detected fractures 95% of the time. (Dec 1997, Journal of Veterinary Research)
  2. Tumor margins and behavior can't be predicted with ultrasound and use is limited to areas not obscured by bone.
  3. For our cancer patients, MRI is even more sensitive than CT and can help us more accurately determine tumor behavior and margins.