An MRI and MRA are both medical imaging tests that are used to look at the inside of the body. An MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create images, while an MRA uses magnets and radio waves as well as x-rays to create images. Both tests can be used to look at the brain, spinal cord, heart, and other organs. Though they both use similar technologies, there are some differences between MRIs and MRAs.
What is MRI?
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a type of medical scan that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. MRI scans are painless and do not involve exposure to ionizing radiation, making them a safe and effective tool for diagnosing many conditions. MRI can be used to assess the health of the brain, spine, joints, and internal organs, and it is often used to diagnose stroke, cancer, and other diseases. MRI is also a valuable tool for monitoring the progress of treatment for many conditions. In recent years, MRI technology has continued to evolve, giving doctors ever-more precise images and allowing them to detect even small abnormalities.
What is MRA?
MRA magnetic resonance angiography is a test that uses magnetic resonance imaging MRI to look at blood vessels. MRA can be used to look at arteries anywhere in the body. MRA is noninvasive, which means it does not use needles or other tools that go inside the body. MRA is also called MR angiography or MRA scan. The test is usually done to find blockages in arteries such as those that supply blood to the brain, kidneys, or heart. MRA can also be used to look for aneurysms bulges in arteries, tumors, or other abnormalities.
MRA is often used along with other tests such as computed tomography CT angiography or conventional angiography. MRA is usually done in a hospital radiology department or outpatient center. The test takes about 30-60 minutes. You will lie on a movable table that slides into the MRI machine. The machine is a large magnet that creates radio waves and a strong magnetic field around you. The waves are bounced off your tissues, and the signals are converted into pictures on a computer screen.
Difference between MRI and MRA
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) are both medical imaging techniques that use powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body. MRI is typically used to image soft tissues, while MRA is used to image blood vessels. MRI is a more versatile technique, as it can be used to image a variety of tissues and organs. MRA is typically used to specifically image the arteries and veins in the brain, heart, or kidneys. MRI is generally considered to be a safer technique, as it does not use ionizing radiation. MRA may be preferable in some cases, as it can provide more detailed images of blood vessels than MRI.
Conclusion
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are both types of medical imaging that use magnets and radio waves to create images of the inside of the body. MRI is used most commonly to image the brain, spinal cord, and other soft tissues, while MRA is used to image blood vessels.
