A1 Understand health issues page 39

Question 1

How does nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in MRI produce detailed images of tissues?

Answer 1

NMR in MRI produces detailed images by detecting protons in their exact locations and providing information on the tissue type based on the speed at which protons realign.

Question 2

What does the speed of proton realignment in tissues indicate during an MRI scan?

Answer 2

The speed at which protons realign varies in different tissues, sending signals unique to each tissue type, which helps differentiate them in the resulting image.

Question 3

What types of tissues are most visible in an MRI scan, and why?

Answer 3

Soft tissues, especially fat and water, have the highest concentrations of protons visible on MRI scans, making them more suitable for imaging.

Question 4

What are some areas of the body where MRI is particularly useful as a diagnostic tool?

Answer 4

MRI is particularly useful for imaging the brain, spine, pelvis, joints, abdomen, heart, breast, blood vessels, and other soft tissues and organs.

Question 5

Why are MRI scans considered less risky for patients than X-rays and CT scans?

Answer 5

MRI scans are less risky than X-rays and CT scans because they do not expose the patient to ionising radiation, which can damage living cells.

Question 6

Why must patients remove jewellery before an MRI scan?

Answer 6

Patients must remove jewellery before an MRI scan because the scanner uses strong magnetic fields, and metallic objects can interfere with the imaging or pose a safety risk.