MRI is an imaging method that is very sensitive in detecting inflammation and also bone erosions.
A gallium scan is a type of nuclear scan that can find cancer, infection or inflammation in the body. A radiologist injects a small amount of a radioactive substance into the bloodstream. The gallium settles in areas of the body where there is inflammation or infection.
Scans may be done to check for joint inflammation and damage. These can help tell the difference between types of arthritis and can be used to monitor how your condition is progressing over time. Scans that may be done to diagnose and monitor rheumatoid arthritis include: X-rays.
Abnormal MRI scan results are most likely due to injury or damage. This could mean bleeding, swelling, structural damage, lesions, tumors, inflammation, deterioration, or more.
The bottom line is that not all pain is able to be detected on an x-ray or MRI. That does not mean that there is nothing there that needs to be treated or diagnosed. In fact, it means that it is possibly a precursor to something going really wrong and then eventually needing surgery because it eventually winds up torn.
The MRI scan provides clear and detailed images of soft tissue. However, it can't 'visualise' bone very well, since bone tissue doesn't contain much water. That is why bone injury or disease is usually investigated with regular x-ray examinations rather than MRI scanning.
MRI can be used to view arteries and veins. Standard MRI can't see fluid that is moving, such as blood in an artery, and this creates "flow voids" that appear as black holes on the image. Contrast dye (gadolinium) injected into the bloodstream helps the computer "see" the arteries and veins.
Areas of new, active inflammation in the brain become white on T1 scans with contrast. The contrast that goes into your vein for the MRI seeps out of leaky blood vessels in the brain where there is active inflammation. The spots (called lesions) on the scan are areas of active inflammation.
An MRI uses a strong magnet connected to a computer to create a cross-sectional image of the injured area of your body. The MRI is a strong tool for diagnosing soft tissue injuries because it shows the soft tissues with a clarity not possible through traditional x-ray technology.
MRI is able to differentiate between osteomyelitis and soft-tissue infection, but the specificity is reduced if bony destruction, dislocation, marrow oedema, synovial effusion and loss of bone and joint limits are present (which are characteristic of neuropathic Charcot's joints) as well as osteomyelitis.
Blood tests known as 'inflammatory markers' can detect inflammation in the body, caused by many diseases including infections, auto-immune conditions and cancers. The tests don't identify what's causing the inflammation: it might be as simple as a viral infection, or as serious as cancer.
The CRP blood test detects and measures the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) produced by the liver, revealing hidden inflammation in your body. The higher your CRP, the greater your inflammation.
Based on visual observation, the ancients characterised inflammation by five cardinal signs, namely redness (rubor), swelling (tumour), heat (calor; only applicable to the body' extremities), pain (dolor) and loss of function (functio laesa).
Medical Precautions
If you are taking aspirin or other NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Motrin, Aleve, or Naprosyn, stop taking it 3 days before your appointment, with your prescribing physician's approval.
MRI scans use radio waves to produce images of soft tissue like muscles and ligaments, in addition to bones. Because of this, it's possible for an MRI to show nerve damage as well as other issues that might be causing pain in your body.
An MRI is the best type of imaging for looking at tissue. Your physician may order an MRI on the damaged muscle to find or learn more about your injury. This type of muscle tear imaging can pinpoint the location of even the smallest muscle strains and determine whether a partial or complete strain has occurred.
MRI is the most effective way to diagnose problems within any joint and the image sensitivity makes it the most accurate imaging tool available in detecting arthritis and other inflammatory changes. MRI is also a key diagnostic tool when patients have lower back pain, radiating pain or hip/groin pain.
An MRI scan creates pictures using magnetism and radio waves. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It produces pictures from angles all around the body and shows up soft tissues very clearly. It can also show up abnormal areas in the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
The most common reasons for chronic inflammation include: Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, where your body attacks healthy tissue. Exposure to toxins, like pollution or industrial chemicals. Untreated acute inflammation, such as from an infection or injury.
An MRI machine uses powerful magnets that can attract any metal in your body. If this happens, you could get hurt. It can also damage equipment that's implanted in your body -- a pacemaker or cochlear implant, for instance. Also, metal can reduce the quality of the MRI image.
However, due to the use of the strong magnet, MRI cannot be performed on patients with: Implanted pacemakers. Intracranial aneurysm clips. Cochlear implants.
You must lie very still during the scan. If you move, the MRI scan pictures may not be clear. Your primary care physician may order you a mild sedative if you are claustrophobic (afraid of closed spaces), have a hard time staying still, or have chronic pain.
On a T1-weighted scans show tissues with high fat content (such as white matter) appear bright and compartments filled with water (CSF) appears dark. This is good for demonstrating anatomy.