Description

Why Are Brain MRIs Done?
A brain MRI can help doctors look for conditions such as bleeding, swelling, problems with the way the brain developed, tumors, infections, inflammation, damage from an injury or a stroke, or problems with the blood vessels.

The MRI also can help doctors look for causes of headaches or seizures. It can show if a shunt is working.

In some cases, MRI can provide clear images of parts of the brain that can't be seen as well with an X-ray, CAT scan, or ultrasound, making it particularly valuable for finding problems with the pituitary gland and brain stem.

What does a brain MRI show?
A brain or head MRI shows the structures inside of your head, including:

Your brain.
* Blood vessels that connect to your brain.
* Your skull and facial bones.
* Structures in your inner ear.
* Your eyes and their supporting tissues, such as your optic nerves.
* Other nerves (large nerves in your head, called cranial nerves).
*Surrounding soft tissues and skull-based structures, such as fat, bones, muscle and connective tissue.

More specifically, a brain or head MRI can show if there are any abnormalities in your brain or the surrounding tissues, including, but not limited to:

* Inflammation and swelling.
* Structural issues.
* Abnormal growths or masses.
* Fluid leaks.
* Hemorrhage (bleeding inside your brain).
* White matter disease.