What is an MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a way of taking pictures of the inside of the body without X-rays. MRI uses a strong magnet to make the pictures.
Why use an MRI to image the pulmonary veins?
An MRI scan does not involve radiation, but can still give good anatomical data. Compared to echo, a MRI scan can show disease that exists in pulmonary veins that is far away from the heart. Like a CT scan, an MRI can allow one to measure the degree of stenosis in the individual veins.; however the resolution may not be as good
A MRI scan also provide information about how blood is flowing in the pulmonary vessels and can provide information about pulmonary hypertension.
A MRI scan also provide information about how blood is flowing in the pulmonary vessels and can provide information about pulmonary hypertension.
Things to know about MRI scans
MRI scans can be loud and depending on the age of your child, they will likely need to be sedated. The scan can take up to 1 hour to complete. Your child will need to have contrast at the time of their MRI.
MRI scans
- An MRI scan does not involve radiation
- An MRI scan can image the veins and provide information about pulmonary blood flow
- Typically children need to undergo general sedation for this test, because they need to stay still for a very long time and the machine is loud.