Assistant Professor Prayer explains an MRI report to a patient.

The ultramodern 3.0-Tesla MR device.

Assistant Professor Prayer explains the MR investigation.

The MR investigation room.

3 whole-body MR images obtained with different image sequences.

Prior appointment: required
Preparation: required sometimes
Contrast medium: required sometimes

Areas of application:

• Diseases of the central nervous system (brain and bone marrow), mainly to demonstrate or rule out tumor disease, vascular malformations, multiple sclerosis; diagnosis and monitoring of cranial bleeding and cerebral stroke.
• Diseases of the vertebral column and the joints, e.g. disk prolapse, injury to the meniscus, the cruciate ligament, or the collateral ligament, because no other technique is able to demonstrate soft-tissue structures such as muscles, tendons, ligaments or the meniscus as well as MRT does.
• Early detection of bone marrow disease (metastases, bone tumours, plasmocytoma – Kahler’s disease)
• In the investigation of abdominal and pelvic organs and in breast diagnosis (MR mammography) we have been using magnetic resonance tomography to an increasing extent.
• MR angiography of the legs and pelvis in cases of suspected perfusion disorders in the legs
• etc.

The investigation:

You will undress completely before the investigation. You will be given an examination robe or a dress. This measure is taken for safety reasons. MRT is based on the use of a strong magnetic field. It must be ensured that there are no metal parts in your clothing. No X-rays are used for MRT. During the procedure you lie on an examination table and will be driven into the tube-like investigation device. For the entire duration of the investigation you will be able to communicate with the radiological assistant through an intercom system, an emergency button and a glass window. The electromagnetic switching processes cause a loud knocking sound; therefore we offer earplugs or headphones with music. You may bring your own CD. Please lie down and stay relaxed while you hear the continued knocking sound and avoid any movement. The examination takes 10 to 30 minutes.

Important information:

For every MRT investigation you need an APPROVED REFERRAL from a senior medical authority of your health insurance company.

NO MRT investigation should be performed in cases of:

• specific metal implants
• metal fragments (depending on where they are located in the body, e.g. metal splinters in the eye)
• implanted cardiac pacemakers
• specific metal clips after vascular operations
• electronic implants such as prostheses in the inner ear
• insulin pumps, etc.
• caution should be exercised even in cases of shunt valves for hydrocephalus.

Most surgical procedures today are performed using "non-magnetic metals". These are no hindrance to the MRT investigation. However, do let us know whether you have metal parts in your body.