X-rays are wonderful. They are relatively fast, useful tests for fractures and other bone abnormalities in a patient. However, they are mainly only good for bones. What if your soft tissue…is the issue? That’s where magnetic resonance imaging comes in. From the traditional tube-like MRI scanner to the open MRI machine, this form of test is essential to correctly diagnosing a huge variety of medical conditions.

Cancer

Cancerous cells and tumors often respond differently to the magnetic waves used in MRI scans. This makes MRI scans an excellent choice when testing for various types of cancer, including in the brain. Even bone cancer could be detected by an MRI.

Heart Problems

Many problems with the heart involve some sort of blockage or inconsistency in tissue density that an MRI can pick up. A blocked vessel, a weakened wall in a muscle or damage wrought by a heart attack can all be found using MRI technology.

Nerve Damage

By now, you’ve probably realized that unhealthy cells just aren’t composed of similar enough stuff to hide from the magnetic waves of an MRI. This goes for nerves too. From brain injury to more long-term conditions like multiple sclerosis, an MRI helps detect issues with your nerves, brain, and spinal cord.

Spinal Disk Problems

Sadly, our bodies are not so good at replacing cartilage, and our inter-vertebral disks are a type of this tissue. MRI scans can detect damage and dislocation of these important shock-absorbing pads between our vertebrae. Many people will need back surgery on these disks to relieve pain, and MRI scans make it possible to diagnose the issues to treat.

The list of what can be detected and diagnosed for proper treatment is far longer than what you see here. MRI scanning technology has been an astounding boon to diagnostic testing a medicine as a whole, and it is only improved upon as time marches forward.