Cerebral MRI or MRI of the brain
Brain MRI in the Neurology Department
What is a brain MRI?
Brain MRI, also known as MRI of the brain or MRI of the skull, is the most powerful examination for exploring your brain. It detects abnormalities in even the smallest brain structures, and determines their cause. By producing detailed images of the brain and brainstem, MRI enables us to visualize the superficial part (white matter) of the brain. This is achieved by measuring, for example, the deep layers (gray matter), the ventricles, and venous and arterial vascularization (in particular using a dye).
MRI will give your doctor a clear and comprehensive view of your body's most complex organ. In many cases, MRI provides information that cannot be seen by other imaging techniques (X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan).
What does a brain MRI show?
In general, a Brain MRI will allow your doctor to examine blood circulation and tissue health in the following brain structures:
- Cerebrum: the front part of the brain involved in movement, body temperature, touch, vision, hearing, reasoning, emotions and learning.
- Brain stem: The brain stem is the central part of the brain. This region is involved in eye and mouth movements, sensory messages, hunger, consciousness, cardiac function and involuntary muscle movements.
- Cerebellum: The cerebellum is the back part of the brain that coordinates voluntary muscle movements and helps you maintain posture and balance.
Why order an MRI of the skull?
A Brain MRI can help determine whether you've suffered damage from a stroke or head injury. In addition, your doctor may also order a head MRI to examine symptoms such as:
- Vertigo
- Epileptic seizures
- Changes in thinking or behavior
- Blurred vision, visual disturbances
- Chronic headaches
- Sudden memory loss
These symptoms may be due to a brain problem, and an MRI scan is a powerful tool for determining the cause of your problem.
Brain MRI Appointment
Make an appointment for a Infant MRI at one of our centers:
MRI Bachaumont 75002
IRM Pôle Santé Bergère 75009
MRI Blomet 75015
Why do I need a brain MRI?
MRI of the head is a useful tool for detecting a number of brain abnormalities, including:
- Aneurysms, or bulges in the blood vessels of the brain
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Hydrocephalus, an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain cavities
- Cerebrovascular accidents
- Infections
- Tumors
- Cysts
- Swelling
- Hormonal disorders, such as acromegaly and Cushing's syndrome
- Hemorrhage, or bleeding
- Inflammation
- Developmental or structural problems (such as Chiari malformation)
- Blood vessel problems
- A problem caused by a previous head injury
What is functional MRI?
It provides a global image of the brain, showing the most active areas. In fact, it has the advantage of very good spatial resolution.
Functional MRI (fMRI) of the brain is useful for people who may require brain surgery. fMRI can locate the areas of the brain responsible for speech, language and body movement. It does this by measuring the metabolic changes that occur in your brain when you perform certain tasks. During this test, you may be asked to perform small tasks, such as answering basic questions or tapping your thumb with your fingertips.
In addition, there's a type of MRI called Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), which allows us to take a closer look at the blood vessels in the brain.
Examination time
The examination lasts between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the pathology to be explored. Sometimes, an intravenous injection of contrast (Gadolinium) may be performed. This is decided by the radiologist once the examination has begun.
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