Is MRI Nuclear? Exploring the Technology and Its Applications

Is MRI nuclear?
MRI is based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), whose name comes from the interaction of certain atomic nuclei in the presence of an external magnetic field when exposed to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic waves of a specific resonance frequency.
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A common medical imaging method that creates precise images of the human body is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An intense magnetic field and radio waves are used in MRI to provide images of the inside organs. Despite the fact that the word “nuclear” is frequently used to describe MRI technology, no nuclear radiation is used in its use.

Applications for MRI technology in medicine include imaging of the joints, spine, brain, and other bodily parts. In order to diagnose and evaluate diseases affecting the wrist, such as fractures, sprains, and ligament injuries, wrist MRI is one specific application of MRI technology. The bones, tendons, and ligaments of the wrist are shown in great detail by wrist MRI, enabling precise diagnosis and therapy planning.

The patient is often positioned on a table that glides into the MRI machine during the actual MRI procedure. The imaging region of the body is subsequently positioned inside the machine’s magnetic field. Only the hand and wrist are placed inside the machine for wrist MRIs as opposed to the full body.

A variety of disorders that affect the hand, including arthritis, tumors, and nerve damage, can be found using a hand MRI. The interior structures of the hand can be shown in great detail by MRI, which can produce useful data for diagnosis and therapy planning.

The fact that MRI equipment is notorious for making loud noises while scanning is one of its distinctive characteristics. This is a result of the quick change of magnetic fields that takes place during imaging. Many MRI machines now include noise-cancelling features for patients, including earplugs and headphones, to solve this issue.

In conclusion, MRI technology does not use nuclear radiation and is not a nuclear process. While hand MRI can identify a variety of diseases affecting the hand, wrist MRI is a useful tool for diagnosing and evaluating conditions affecting the wrist. Despite the fact that MRI equipment can be loud, there are safeguards in place to help patients tolerate less noise.