An MRI scan of the head? (Brain MRI) Don't be afraid, let's find out everything about this!

Have you been seeing a doctor for a while because of a headache, frequent dizziness, or sudden memory loss? At such a time, the doctor may ask you to have an 'MRI scan of the head' to find out exactly if there is something wrong inside your head. You may feel a little scared and nervous when you hear this name. It is normal for many questions to come to mind, such as "What is it like? Will it hurt? Do I have to go inside a big machine?" But, there is no reason to be afraid. Today, we will talk about this MRI scan in a very simple way, in a way that you can understand.

What is this Brain MRI? To put it very simply...

Brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a special test that can take very clear, detailed images of the inside of our head, especially the brain. You won't feel any pain during this. Imagine, it's like taking a three-dimensional (3D) picture of the inside of your head with a super-powerful camera.

This test uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer. The most important thing for you here is that it does not use any radiation, like X-rays or CT scans. Therefore, it is a very safe test. With current technology, an MRI scan is the most sensitive and clearest test for detecting problems inside the brain.

What does it mean to sometimes do an MRI with 'contrast'?

Sometimes, your doctor may tell you to "do an MRI with contrast." Don't be alarmed when you hear this. This means that a small amount of medicine will be injected into a vein in your arm before the scan. This is called a 'contrast material'. Most often, a medicine containing a substance called `(gadolinium)` is used for this.

So why is this drug given? Simply put, when this drug enters the body, certain tissues, blood vessels, or tumors become more clearly visible in the scan images. Just like adding color to a black-and-white photo makes certain things stand out better.

Some of the main uses of this contrast medium are:

• Check for tumors.
• Check for swelling or inflammation anywhere on the body.
• Look at how blood is supplied to some organs.
• Check for any problems with the blood vessels.

This contrast is also helpful in diagnosing conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, and infections.

A small cannula (IV line) is placed in your arm to administer this medicine. These are very safe medications. Although some people may experience minor side effects, severe allergic reactions are very rare.

What exactly can be checked with a brain MRI?

A brain MRI can provide a clear picture of many things inside the brain. That includes:

• Your brain
• Blood vessels connected to the brain
• Your skull and facial bones
• The delicate parts of the inner ear
• Parts such as the eyes and nerves connected to the eyes (optic nerves)
• Other major nerves in the head (cranial nerves)
• Soft tissues such as fat and muscle around the skull

In addition to checking whether these things are normal, it can also detect whether there is any abnormality in the brain or surrounding tissues. Let's explain this further in the table below.

For what reasons does a doctor recommend an MRI?

There are many reasons why a neurologist or other doctor may order an MRI scan. The main reason is to find out exactly what is causing your symptoms. It is also used to see if an already diagnosed condition has been controlled or worsened.

Here are some of the medical conditions that can be diagnosed or monitored with an MRI:

• A blood clot in the brain
• Brain aneurysm
• Brain hemorrhage
• Brain infections (e.g., Encephalitis)
• Brain damage caused by epilepsy
• Brain tumors and cysts
• Neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Dementia
• Hydrocephalus (water on the brain)
• Pituitary gland issues
• Stroke
• Problems with brain development or formation
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Also, if you continue to have one or more of the following symptoms, your doctor may order an MRI:

• Migraines or chronic headaches
• Seizures
• Frequent dizziness (Vertigo)
• Hearing loss with no known cause
• Vision impairments that cannot be explained by an eye exam
• Hormonal imbalances
• Major changes in thinking and behavior
• Sudden extreme weakness and fatigue

Additionally, MRI scans are used to plan ahead for head surgery and to monitor recovery after surgery.

How should I prepare before an MRI scan?

This is a very important part. Let's now look at the preparations you need to make when going for an MRI scan.

In most cases, you can eat, drink, and take your medications normally before the scan. However, if your doctor or hospital gives you other instructions, you should definitely follow them.

Therefore, you must inform the staff about the following things before you go for the scan.

In addition,

• If you are pregnant ,
• If you have difficulty sitting still with your arms straight up for 30-60 minutes,
• If you have a fear of small, enclosed spaces (claustrophobia),

Be sure to tell the doctor and technician about these things before the scan. Don't worry, there are solutions. For example, someone with claustrophobia can be given a small amount of medicine to help them relax.

What happens during the scan?

Okay, now let's take a step-by-step look at what happens when you go for the scan.

1. First, you will be asked to wear a special garment given to you by the hospital.

2. You will then lie down on a bed connected to the scanner.

3. As you lie down, the technician will place a special device (head coil) around your head, similar to a helmet. Don't worry, it won't be tight on your head. Some of these devices have a mirror so you can see the light from the machine. This will help reduce the feeling of being trapped.

4. The technician will then slide you into the MRI machine, taking you to the bed you are in. Most of the time, when doing a head MRI, your entire body does not go into the machine.

5. When the scan starts, you will hear a lot of different tapping and clicking sounds from the machine. Don't be alarmed by this sound, it's just the way the machine works. They will give you earplugs or headphones to protect your ears. Sometimes you can even listen to music through those headphones.

6. It is very important to remain as still and motionless as possible throughout the scan. Just as moving while taking a photo can blur the image, moving can also cause the MRI images to be blurry.

7. It is normal to feel a slight warmth on your head during the scan. However, if you are uncomfortable with this, please tell the staff.

8. You are always under the supervision of the technical officer. He can see you and talk to you. Also, you have a ``call button`` on your hand that you can press in case of emergency. If you feel something is wrong, press it.

How long does this scan take? When will the results be available?

A typical brain MRI scan takes between 30 and 60 minutes . It may take a little longer if contrast is used. Your doctor will explain the exact time you will be scheduled for your scan.

After the scan is complete, a radiologist analyzes the images and creates a report. The report is sent to your treating doctor. This report usually arrives within a day or two. The doctor will then explain the report to you in simple terms.