MRI is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body in both health and disease. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body.

MRI was originally called NMRI (nuclear magnetic resonance imaging), but the use of ‘nuclear’ in the acronym was dropped to avoid negative associations with the word. Certain atomic nuclei are able to absorb and emit radio frequency energy when placed in an external magnetic field. In clinical and research MRI, hydrogen atoms are most often used to generate a detectable radio-frequency signal that is received by antennas in close proximity to the anatomy being examined. Hydrogen atoms are naturally abundant in people and other biological organisms, particularly in water and fat. For this reason, most MRI scans essentially map the location of water and fat in the body. Pulses of radio waves excite the nuclear spin energy transition, and magnetic field gradients localize the signal in space. By varying the parameters of the pulse sequence, different contrasts may be generated between tissues based on the relaxation properties of the hydrogen atoms therein.

While the hazards of X-Rays are now well-controlled in most medical contexts, an MRI scan may still be seen as a better choice than a CT scan. MRI is widely used in hospitals and clinics for medical diagnosis, staging of disease and follow-up without exposing the body to radiation. An MRI may yield different information compared with CT. There may be risks and discomfort associated with MRI scans. Compared with CT scans, MRI scans typically take longer and are louder, and they usually need the subject to enter a narrow, confining tube.

MRI services for Southeast Queensland

At Queensland Radiology Specialists, we are thrilled to share our most advanced MRI machine to date, the Siemens MAGNETOM Altea.

Our MAGNETOM Altea, with state of the art A.I Deep Resolve Technology, ensures best patient experience and provides superior image quality to increase diagnostic accuracy.

• • • High quality personalised scans
    • Cutting edge acceleration technologies to deliver up to 50% faster examination times (10-15 minutes for routine clinical examinations)
    • Effective noise reduction and scan progressed delivered throughout
    • Wide bore technology to help reduce claustrophobia

Queensland Radiology Specialists offer bulk billing MRI services for DVA Gold Cards and WorkCover patients on approval.

Secure your same day appointment with Queensland Radiology Specialists by calling 1300 201 888 or filling out an enquiry form.