Indications for the study
The main indication is atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities with intermittent claudication, when pain in the calves forces you to stop when walking. The study shows the level and extent of narrowings and occlusions, the state of collaterals and flow paths to the foot - data necessary for a vascular surgeon to choose between stenting and bypass surgery. MR angiography is also used in diabetic angiopathy and in control after reconstructive surgery.
Possibilities of MRI of internal organs
MRI has the best soft tissue contrast among all methods. This makes it possible to differentiate structures that look the same on ultrasound and CT: for example, to distinguish a liver hemangioma from a metastasis, a cyst from a solid formation, a benign uterine tumor from a malignant one.
A separate advantage is the absence of radiation exposure, which is important for repeated studies over time and in young patients.
Main indications
- clarification of the nature of formations of the liver, pancreas, kidneys and adrenal glands
- diagnosis of bile duct diseases without intervention
- assessment of the prevalence of the tumor process and staging
- pathology of the uterus, ovaries and prostate gland
- inflammatory bowel diseases
- control after surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy
The role of contrast
Intravenous contrast makes it possible to assess the nature of the blood supply to the formation by accumulation phases - this is what most often provides an answer about its nature. Therefore, during oncological searches and clarifying diagnostics, the study is almost always performed with contrast.