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MRI Scan Center - Greenville, SC

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Greenville, South Carolina

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MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan)

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI (or magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures. The MRI scanner is a tube surrounded by a giant circular magnet. The patient is placed on a moveable bed that is inserted into the magnet. The magnet creates a strong magnetic field that aligns the protons of hydrogen atoms, which are then exposed to a beam of radio waves. This spins the various protons of the body, and they produce a faint signal that is detected by the receiver portion of the MRI scanner. The receiver information is processed by a computer, and an image is produced.

The image and resolution produced by MRI is quite detailed and can detect tiny changes of structures within the body. For some procedures, contrast agents, such as gadolinium, are used to increase the accuracy of the images.

When are MRI scans used?

An MRI scan can be used as an extremely accurate method of disease detection throughout the body. In the head, trauma to the brain can be seen as bleeding or swelling. Other abnormalities often found include brain aneurysms, stroke, tumors of the brain, as well as tumors or inflammation of the spine.

Neurosurgeons use an MRI scan not only in defining brain anatomy but in evaluating the integrity of the spinal cord after trauma. It is also used when considering problems associated with the vertebrae or intervertebral discs of the spine. An MRI scan can evaluate the structure of the heart and aorta, where it can detect aneurysms or tears.

It provides valuable information on glands and organs within the abdomen, and accurate information about the structure of the joints, soft tissues, and bones of the body. Often, surgery can be deferred or more accurately directed after knowing the results of an MRI scan.

What are the risks of an MRI scan?/...

Recommended Reading Related to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan)

Stroke »

What is a stroke?

Brain cell function requires a constant delivery of oxygen and glucose from the bloodstream. A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted, causing brain cells to die. Blood flow can be compromised by a variety of mechanisms.

Blockage of an artery

  • Narrowing of the small arteries within the brain can cause a lacunar stroke, (lacune means "empty space"). Blockage of a single arteriole can affect a tiny area of brain causing that tissue to die (infarct).
  • Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) leading to the brain. There are four major blood vessels that supply the brain with blood. The anterior circulation of the brain that controls most motor  activity, sensation, thought, speech, and emotion is supplied by the carotid arteries. The posterior circulation, which supplies the brainstem and the cer...

Emergency Contact for Greenville

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Greenville Hospitals *

Bon Secours St Francis Health System Downtown
One St Francis Dr
Greenville, SC 29601
(864)255-1000

Regency Hospital of Greenville
One St Francis Dr
Greenville, SC 29601
(864)255-1401

GHS Greenville Memorial Medical Campus
701 Grove Rd
Greenville, SC 29605
(864)455-7000

Shriners Hospital For Children
950 W Faris Rd
Greenville, SC 29605
(864)271-3444

W J Barge Memorial Hospital
1700 Wade Hampton Blvd
Greenville, SC 29614
(864)242-5100

GHS Patewood Medical Campus
200 Patewood Dr
Greenville, SC 29615
(864)454-2600

Bon Secours St Francis Health System Eastside
125 Commonwealth Dr
Greenville, SC 29615
(864)675-4000

SpringBrook Behavioral Health System
1 Havenwood Ln
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
(864)834-8013

GHS North Greenville Hospital
807 N Main St
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
(864)834-5132

The Carolina Center for Behavioral Health
2700 E Phillips Rd
Greer, SC 29650
(864)235-2335

Greer Memorial Hospital
830 S Buncombe Rd
Greer, SC 29650
(864)848-8200

Palmetto Health Baptist Easley
200 Fleetwood Dr
Easley, SC 29640
(864)552-7200

GHS Hillcrest Hospital
729 SE Main St
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864)967-6100

Cannon Memorial Hospital
123 W G Acker Dr
Pickens, SC 29671
(864)878-4791

AnMed Health Rehabilitation Hospital
1 Spring Back Way
Anderson, SC 29621
(864)716-2600

Patrick B Harris Psychiatric Hospital
130 Highway 252
Anderson, SC 29622
(864)231-2600

AnMed Health System
800 N Fant St
Anderson, SC 29621
(864)261-1000

Spartanburg Regional Medical Center
101 E Wood St
Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864)560-6000

Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care
389 Serpentine Dr
Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864)560-3280

St Luke's Hospital
101 Hospital Dr
Columbus, NC 28722
(828)894-3311

Mary Black Memorial Hospital
1700 Skylyn Dr
Spartanburg, SC 29307
(864)573-3000

Pardee Hospital
800 N Justice St
Hendersonville, NC 28791
(828)696-1000

Transylvania Community Hospital
90 Hospital Dr
Brevard, NC 28712
(828)884-9111

Oconee Memorial Hospital
298 Memorial Dr
Seneca, SC 29678
(864)882-3351

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