MRI of the thyroid: what does the study show?

Diseases of the thyroid are a very common problem, from which no one is immune. Of course, in this case, the correct and timely diagnosis is extremely important. And often doctors refer patients to the thyroid gland MRI.

Of course, people who are faced with the need to undergo such a procedure are interested in additional information. Whether MRT of a thyroid gland do or make? Does diagnostics require preparation? What diseases can be detected? Is the procedure combined with some difficulties? Answers to these questions will be useful to many.

What is the

MRI study, or magnetic resonance imaging, is by far one of the most accurate diagnostic procedures. With the help of modern equipment, the doctor has the opportunity not only to make scans of internal organs, but also to build their reliable three-dimensional models.

In fact, the basis of this technique are the features of the behavior of the hydrogen atom when it is subjected to a powerful magnetic field. Equipment for MRI provides a specific combination of electromagnetic waves to tissues and cells. Special radio frequency coils record changes in the response of hydrogen atoms. All received data is output to the computer that creates the images.

Thus, the modern doctor has the opportunity to fully inspect the desired organ( including thyroid gland) without surgical intervention. By the way, the results of tomography are very accurate - modern equipment can detect a tumor with a diameter of 1 mm.

Indications for the procedure

There is a huge amount of indications for the procedure.

• MRI is recommended for suspected "vaginal goiter".Thanks to the pictures, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and determine whether there is the possibility of surgical treatment.
• Patients who have been found to have an enlarged thyroid gland or an abnormal location during the palpation are sent to the procedure.
• To clarify the diagnosis of MRI performed in the presence of inflammatory processes in the tissues of the thyroid gland.
• Indications include infectious diseases.
• This study is carried out with suspicion of the presence of foreign bodies in the tissues of the organ.
• MRI also helps to determine the presence of a tumor, to determine its size and exact location.
• To the list of indications include disorders of the hormonal background, which are accompanied by a sharp change in the body weight of the patient for no apparent reason( for example, the patient did not change the diet or exercise regime, but still loses or gaining weight).
• The procedure is recommended for patients who suffer from constant fatigue, various sleep disorders, sudden mood changes, since these symptoms can also be directly related to the functioning of the thyroid gland.
• The indications include a suspicion of autoimmune thyroiditis.

Is preparation required for

How to prepare for the procedure for testing an organ such as the thyroid gland? MRI does not really require any preparation. There is no need to follow a special diet. Nevertheless, it is important to inform the doctor about all medications taken.

Immediately before the test, you need to change into a spacious, comfortable clothing without metal fasteners and buttons. It is important to remove all jewelry, watches and other items made of metal.

How the procedure is performed

In fact, the technique of carrying out a thyroid gland MRI is quite simple. The patient is placed in a special "tube" of a tomograph. By the way, it is quite comfortable. The equipment scans the human body for 30-40 minutes. It is extremely important to try to lie motionless, since the quality and reliability of the resulting images depend on this.

If it is a question of examining children, patients with mental disorders or severe pain syndrome, then the specialist can make a decision about anesthesia. The procedure is carried out under the constant supervision of a doctor. The results of the study the doctor can study after 1-2 days.

What MRI of the thyroid gland shows

In fact, this procedure helps diagnose a lot of pathologies:

• presence of tumors in thyroid tissue;
• changes in the tissues of the organ that are characteristic of the inflammatory process, of an infectious disease;
• presence of foreign body;
• resizing of the thyroid gland;
• appearance of neoplasms in the neck.

MRI of the thyroid gland gives accurate results. However, in some cases, additional tests are required. For example, blood tests will help to identify this or that infection. If a cancer is suspected with the help of special tests, the body is checked for abnormal cells and other oncomarkers.

Contraindications to

In many cases, a doctor needs to check how the thyroid works. MRI is a fairly informative and safe technique. Nevertheless, there are a number of contraindications:

• the presence of metal plates, dental crowns, prostheses and insertions inside the patient's body( similar implants will distort the picture and make the procedure uninformative);
• pregnancy is considered a relative contraindication, because to date there is no accurate data on the possible negative impact of the equipment on the fetus);
• the inability to remain in a static position for a long time( for example, due to mental disorders);
• claustrophobia;
• procedure is not performed by patients in a state of drug or alcohol intoxication;
• MRI is difficult to carry to people with obesity( if the body weight is more than 150 kg).

Disadvantages of the

method This diagnostic method is, without a doubt, informative. However, the cost of MRI of the thyroid gland is quite high - not every patient can afford such a survey.

The thyroid gland is an organ that is located under the skin, so it can be explored in other ways. For example, a lot of useful information can be obtained during the ultrasound. This procedure allows you to assess the size of the organ, detect the appearance of tumors. Moreover, ultrasound equipment is available in almost every hospital, and the cost of the procedure is much lower.

It is also worth noting that MRI does not provide an opportunity to find out whether a detected tumor is benign, or indicates the development of cancer. The procedure can cause emotional and physical discomfort to the patient, since it is necessary to lie still in a closed space.

Thyroid gland MRT with contrast: features of the

procedure In some cases, patients are assigned a slightly modified procedure. MRI of the thyroid gland with contrast provides more accurate results. Before examining the patient, a special contrast agent is injected intravenously - as a rule, it is made on the basis of iodine or gadolinium. This tool accumulates in pathologically altered tissues, so they appear much darker in the pictures. This allows the doctor to study in more detail the structure and changes in the tissues of the thyroid gland.

Nevertheless, the technique has some drawbacks. In particular, the introduction of contrast may be accompanied by unpleasant side effects, including dizziness, headache, a feeling of nausea( sometimes resulting in vomiting).Also, drugs used for contrasting can cause an allergic reaction, sometimes up to anaphylactic shock. That is why before the procedure the patient donates blood for analysis. Sometimes allergic tests are carried out. It should be noted that this type of MRI is contraindicated in patients with severe liver and kidney diseases, since these organs are responsible for the utilization and removal of contrast agent residues from the body.