Chest MRI

Nuclear magnetic resonance - chest; Magnetic resonance imaging - chest; NMR - chest; MRI of the thorax; Thoracic MRI

The test is done in the following way:

• You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal fasteners (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images or be dangerous to have on in the scanner room.
• You lie on a narrow table, which slides into the large tunnel-shaped scanner.
• You must be still during the exam, because movement causes blurred images.

Some exams require a special dye called contrast. The dye is usually given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly. A blood test to measure your kidney function may be done before the test. This is to make sure your kidneys are healthy enough to filter the contrast.

During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 - 60 minutes, but it may take longer.

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your doctor if you are claustrophobic (afraid of closed spaces). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your doctor may suggest an "open" MRI, in which the machine is not as close to your body.

Before the test, tell your health care provider if you have:

• Brain aneurysm clips
• Certain types of artificial heart valves
• Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
• Inner ear (cochlear) implants
• Kidney disease or are on dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
• Recently placed artificial joints
• Certain types of vascular stents
• Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)

The MRI contains strong magnets, so metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner. This is because there is a risk that they will be drawn from your body toward the scanner. Examples of metal objects you will need to remove are:

• Pens, pocket knives, and eyeglasses
• Items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids
• Pins, hairpins, and metal zippers
• Removable dental work

An MRI exam causes no pain. If you have trouble lying still or are very nervous, you may be given medicine to relax you. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors when the doctor looks at the images.

The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help reduce the noise.

An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones that you can use to help the time pass.

There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can resume your normal diet, activity, and medications.

A chest MRI provides detailed pictures of tissues within the chest area.

A chest MRI may be done to:

• Provide an alternative to angiography, or avoid repeated exposure to radiation
• Clarify findings from earlier x-rays or CT scans
• Diagnose abnormal growths in the chest
• Evaluate blood flow
• Show lymph nodes and blood vessels
• Show the structures of the chest from many angles
• See if cancer in the chest has spread to other areas of the body (this is called staging -- it helps guide future treatment and follow-up, and gives you an idea of what to expect in the future)
• Detect tumors

A normal result means your chest area appears normal.

An abnormal chest MRI may be due to:

• Abnormal blood vessels in the lungs (pulmonary vessels)
• Abnormal lymph nodes
• Aortic dissection
• Aortic stenosis
• Atrial myxoma
• Atrial septal defect
• Bronchial abnormalities
• Bronchiectasis
• Cardiac tamponade
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Constrictive pericarditis
• Cystic lung lesions
• Esophageal tumor
• Ischemic cardiomyopathy
• Lung tumors
• Mitral regurgitation - acute
• Mitral regurgitation - chronic
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Other masses or tumors of the chest
• Pericardial effusion
• Pericarditis
• Pleural abnormalities, including thickening or pleural effusion
• Pulmonary edema
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy
• Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Thymus tumor
• Tumors of the chest

Consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.

MRI uses no radiation. To date, no side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. However, gadolinium can be harmful to patients with kidney problems who need dialysis. If you have kidney problems, tell your health care provider before the test.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants not to work as well. It can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift.

Currently, MRI is not considered a valuable tool for spotting or monitoring slight changes in lung tissue. The lungs contain mostly air and are hard to image. CT scan tends to be better for monitoring these changes.

Disadvantages of MRI include:

• High cost
• Long length of the scan
• Sensitivity to movement