Chest MRI

• infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How it Feels:
There is no pain. The magnetic field and radio waves are not felt. The primary discomfort is the claustrophobic feeling that some people experience from being inside the scanner. The table may be hard or cold, but you can request a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises. Ear plugs are usually given to reduce the noise. A technologist observes you during the entire procedure and may enter the room to speak to you or may speak with you through an intercom in the scanner.

Excessive movement can blur MRI images. If you have difficulty lying still or are very anxious, you may be given a sedative. There is no recovery required (unless you have been sedated). After an MRI scan, you can resume normal diet, activity, and medications.

Risks:
There is no ionizing radiation and usually no contrast dye is needed. The procedure is safe in most cases, and there are no documented side effects. However, because the effects of strong magnetic fields on a fetus are not well documented at this time, pregnant women are usually advised to avoid MRI scans.

Because the strong magnets can displace or disrupt the action of implanted metallic objects, people with cardiac pacemakers cannot be scanned and should not enter the MRI scan area. MRI also should not be used for people with metallic objects in their bodies, such as artificial joints, inner ear (cochlear) implants, brain aneurysm clips, some artificial heart valves, and metallic foreign bodies in the eye or other body areas.

MRI is usually not recommended for acute trauma situations, because traction and life-support equipment cannot enter the scanner area and because of the long scan times.

Why this Test is Performed:
MRI provides detailed pictures of tissues within the chest cavity, without obstruction by overlying bone. It may be used to clarify findings from previous X-rays or CT scans. It can show the structures of the chest from multiple planes. It is useful in the diagnosis of abnormal growths, and can provide information for the staging (such as the size, extent, and spread) of thoracic tumors. MRI clearly shows lymph nodes and blood vessels, and is a noninvasive procedure that can evaluate blood flow. MRI can distinguish tumors or other lesions from normal tissues. MRI is sometimes used to avoid the dangers of angiography or of repeated exposure to radiation.

Normal Values:
No abnormalities of size or position of the thoracic (chest cavity) organs as viewed from any plane. No new growths or lesions. Normal organ function (of the organs where MRI can indicate function).

Abnormal Results:
A chest MRI may reveal disorders including:

• mediastinal masses such as thymus tumor
• mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy (abnormal lymph nodes)
• swollen glands and enlarged lymph nodes in any location of the chest
• masses (aggregations of cells) or tumors of the chest
• lung masses
• esophageal mass (tumor)
• staging of tumors including invasion of blood vessels
• alveolar bullae ( COPD )
• bronchial abnormalities
• bronchiectasis
• cystic lung lesions
• pleural abnormalities, including thickening or pleural effusion
• abnormal pulmonary vessels
• coarctation of the aorta
• aortic stenosis
• aortic dissection
• pericardial effusion
• thoracic aortic aneurysm

Note: The sensitivity of MRI depends, in part, on the experience of the radiologist. As MRI becomes more common, increasingly detailed diagnosis may be possible.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• atrial myxoma; right
• atrial septal defect
• cardiac tamponade
• ischemic cardiomyopathy
• mitral regurgitation; acute
• mitral regurgitation; chronic
• mitral valve prolapse
• pericarditis; bacterial
• pericarditis; constrictive
• pericarditis; post-MI
• pulmonary edema
• restrictive cardiomyopathy
• skin lesion of histoplasmosis
• SVC obstruction

Cost:
The estimated cost is $850 to $2,000.
MRI is more expensive than X-rays or CT scans, mostly because the equipment is very expensive. However, MRI may replace multiple other tests, and it provides a clear image with a very low risk. The benefits often outweigh the cost of the scan.

Most insurance companies will pay for MRI scans. Some scans of certain body areas or for certain medical conditions may not be covered by all insurances, so check with the insurance company.

Special Considerations:
MRI is more accurate than CT scan or other tests for certain conditions but less accurate for others. Disadvantages include the high cost, long duration of the scan, and sensitivity to movement. People with claustrophobia or who are confused or anxious may have difficulty lying still for the relatively long scan times.

MRI is not portable and is incompatible with metallic implants, life support-devices, traction apparatus, and similar equipment.

MRI is superior in most cases where differentiation of soft tissues is necessary. It can view organs without obstruction by bone and foreign bodies. It is capable of showing the tissues from multiple viewpoints and is a noninvasive way to evaluate blood flow.


MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It is a relatively new technology that allows imaging of the interior of the body without using X-rays or other types of ionizing radiation. An MRI scan is capable of showing fine detail of different tissues. Its use is rapidly increasing while the use of standard X-rays has decreased.