MRI with contrast

An MRI or magnetic resonance imaging is one of the modern, non-invasive and most accurate ways to detect many hidden diseases, to establish correct diagnoses and to monitor the dynamics of the treatment of a disease.

The method is based on the work of electromagnetic fields, with the help of which on a special apparatus (a tomograph) you can see clear images that tell about the work of the internal organ being monitored.

An MRI with contrast, which involves injecting a small amount of a completely harmless dyestuff into a person's vein, is especially popular today. It illuminates areas of the body that specialists have questions about. This allows the doctor to see the most accurate picture possible, which will allow him or her to make a final diagnosis and prescribe a treatment regimen. 

Often MRI with contrast is advised when detecting neoplasms of oncological nature and when examining the size and nature of metastases, since the blood supply is more intense in tumor tissue areas (accumulating in those places, the contrast substance demonstrates the pathology more vividly). This method is also widely used in the examination of blood vessels.

How does an MRI procedure with contrast work?

The procedure requires some preliminary preparation: 3-5 hours before it, you should refrain from any food and drink, it is necessary to suspend medications. If the examined area is the pelvic organs, you should drink about 1 liter of still water 1 hour before the examination.

If the patient is prone to constipation, it is advisable to take a laxative or activated charcoal the day before (if there is some increased gas formation). At the beginning of the procedure, there will be a quick test to determine the patient's sensitivity to the injected substance.

Before an MRI, the patient has to remove all jewelry and clothing with metal parts. The patient is asked to lie down on a special mobile table of the tomograph, to which the doctor will attach him/her with straps (this is required to ensure complete immobility).

Then some contrast is injected, which will spread through the body's circulatory system within the next 5-10 minutes. At this moment, the patient may feel a slight dizziness, but it will pass quickly. Specialists of the JSC "Medicine" clinic always carefully monitor the well-being of their patients during the CT scanning, so in no case hide your feelings.

In general, an MRI procedure is completely painless and takes from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the specific organ and the complexity of the disease. As a result, you will receive a detailed transcript of your scans, which will be carefully made by our experienced radiologist.

Indications

An MRI is practically never performed without a reason: it is prescribed by a doctor if there are certain indications.

Such indications as:

• probable cancerous neoplasms;
• presence of pathological fluid or metastases in the body;
• sprained ligaments, damaged joints;;
• monitoring the condition of organs after surgical intervention;
• thrombosis, aneurysms and other vascular lesions;
• urinary stones;
• nervous system disorders;
• herniated discs.

Through an MRI with contrast, abnormal growth of a particular organ can be monitored in order to carefully plan a surgical intervention. Also it can show some excess fluid, in most cases indicating an acute infectious process or even bleeding in the body.

An MRI with contrast is not always prescribed for a particular disease: the need for it is determined by your attending doctor. 

Specialists at the JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic) follow the institution's main rule: do no harm. They are clearly aware of the extent of their responsibility, so they carefully examine each case before recommending certain procedures. 

Contraindications

Even if it is indicated, MRI with contrast is not always carried out: it is contraindicated for some patients. 

It is not carried out in the following cases:

• if the patient has metal prostheses or implants, dental prostheses or implanted hearing aids.;
• when the patient is claustrophobic;
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• if the patient has a mental illness;
• epilepsy;
• renal and heart failure, cardiovascular disease;
• bronchial asthma;
• blood diseases;
• if the patient weighs more than 130 kg.
• if the patient has an allergic reaction to the contrast agent injected into the body.

The latter contraindication does not happen very often. It is so because during an MRI, a special harmless substance, called gadolinium, is injected into the body, but side effects do occur. This is why our doctors inject it into the patient's body as slowly as possible and stop the process immediately at the slightest change in his or her well-being.

Other side effects may include:

• urticaria, skin itching;
• dizziness;
• dyspnea at rest;
• sneezing;
• mild itching in the nose or eye area.

In Russian medical practice, several preparations based on this active substance are widely used. They are non-toxic, intravenous and in extremely rare cases provoke allergies. Therefore, the radiologist can choose the one that works best for the individual patient.

Some contraindications are not absolute, so each case is reviewed by the doctor individually. 

Which doctor carries out an MRI?

An appropriate specialist - neurosurgeon, otolaryngologist, ophthalmologist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist, oncologist - sends you for examination of this or that organ.

Our clinic employs doctors who are sincerely in love with their work. With their extensive experience, they annually improve their qualifications by participating in international medical conferences and scientific congresses. After collecting a detailed anamnesis and preliminary tests, they know exactly who should have an MRI, and for whom the procedure will be unnecessary.

The procedure is performed by the best radiologists of Moscow with long term experience and exceptional knowledge in the field.

To make an appointment for a preliminary consultation or procedures with the chosen specialist, simply contact us by the phone. Our phone number is listed on the official website of JSC “Medicine” clinic. Rest assured, you will receive the most detailed examination in the shortest possible time.

Doctors

Benefits of an MRI with contrast in the JSC “Medicina” clinic

Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast in our clinic is an excellent opportunity to diagnose quickly, safely and accurately the presence of a disease and determine the general state of a particular organ.

The specialists of our clinic carry out examinations using the most modern machines – ACHIEVA 1,5 T Philips (it provides exceptional accuracy of image transmission to the screen) и MAGNETOM Skyra (3 Tesla high-frequency CT scanner designed for the diagnosis of organic diseases).

Our specialists will do everything:

• as quickly as possible: the procedure takes no more than one hour, and you will receive the report within an hour and a half after its completion;
• effective: an MRI with contrast will provide extremely accurate results;
• qualitative: the results will be deciphered by the most experienced specialists of the capital and the most complex cases will be studied by professors from the best universities in the country;
• reliable: the examinations will be carried out in compliance with all established requirements and in accordance with international standards;
• safe: all equipment in the clinic is being regularly tested;
• comfortably: you will receive complete information about consultations, tests and treatment both in paper and electronic forms.

The JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic) is a large multi-profile center, bringing together in one place the best specialists in evidence-based medicine. In our work, we strive to adopt the methods of the world's largest medical institutions so that our patients can receive services of the highest quality.

Our specialists will do their best to make you leave the clinic in good spirits and cheerful.

Our prices

We keep up to date and do everything to ensure that our customers can rely on the highest level of service.

You can get detailed information regarding the general pricing policy and the cost of a particular procedure on the clinic's website by going to the "Patients" tab and following that to the "Cost of Services" section.