When there’s something wrong with the body that an x-ray or blood work can’t detect, a doctor might send you to one of the many imaging centers in NJ or in your home state. An imaging center has the capability of performing CT scans as well as an MRI, which is one of the most common imaging tests that are done. There are many reasons as to why an MRI would be scheduled, mostly for diagnostic purposes. They are commonly done if you are experiencing any kind of severe pain or bleeding with no explanation.

The MRI is a scan that is often done to see if there is anything wrong with the brain or the spinal cord. An x-ray usually won’t detect if there are any abnormalities in this area of the body. The scan helps to diagnose aneurysms and blood clots so that the doctor can begin the proper treatment in order to prevent a vessel from rupturing or to prevent a clot from entering another area of the body, such as the lungs. An MRI can detect tumors in almost any area of the body, which can give doctors enough time in some cases to begin chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the tumor. The MRI is then used to see if the tumor is shrinking in response to treatments that have been performed. Multiple sclerosis can also be diagnosed with an MRI. The brain MRI can detect changes that take place in the brain, identifying language and movement areas that might be affected after a stroke or illness.

An MRI is also used to look at the heart and blood vessels. Doctors can examine the thickness of the walls of the heart and see if there are any issues with the aorta and how it’s structured. Blockages can also be detected. Doctors will often order an MRI to look at other areas of the body that include the gallbladder to see if there are gallstones or the appendix to see if it is inflamed or if it has ruptured. An MRI of the breasts can be performed to detect breast cancer or of the bones and joints to look for common conditions of these areas of the body.