MRI examination with or without contrast medium?

In general, one cannot say that an MRI examination must be performed with or without a contrast medium. What is decisive here is firstly which part of the abdomen is examined and secondly, what exactly the question is. Often, a native MRI image is taken first, i.e. the MRI examination is first performed without contrast medium.

If certain structures that are seen cannot be assigned, it may be necessary to perform an MRI with contrast medium. The contrast medium stains some structures in the body, others leave them unstained. This allows the examiner to recognize different tissues in the body in case of doubt.

On the one hand, the administration of a contrast medium is more expensive than a native image, and on the other hand it is not without risks. It can happen from time to time that the examiner reacts allergic to the contrast medium. It is therefore necessary to ask the patient in advance whether a corresponding contrast agent allergy is known.

Another important point is the use of contrast media containing iodine. If the patient suffers from a thyroid gland disease, it is necessary to switch to another non-iodine medication. If there are no objections and the patient has signed the information sheet with the possible risks and side effects, a venous access is placed either in a vein in the back of the hand or in a vein in the crook of the elbow.

Afterwards the patient is introduced into the MRI machine on a couch. If it is decided that the patient must be given a contrast medium to improve the imaging of the abdominal cavity in the MRI, the contrast medium is applied from the outside via the already existing access. The contrast medium floods the body within a few seconds.

The contrast medium is also quickly flooded away again, which then has the consequence that the corresponding image of the abdominal cavity becomes unclear again. Haste is therefore required. The images must then be taken.

It is also possible to repeat the administration of contrast medium, but it should be applied as little as necessary to minimize the risks and dangers of the allergic reaction. Contrast agent applications are particularly common in subsequent MRI images.The representation of the bile duct system should be mentioned, since here many structures lie next to each other, which must be distinguished. Examinations of the intestine, because here the exact border between the intestinal wall and the intestinal contents must be shown (often the contrast medium is drunk beforehand and waited until it has accumulated and distributed in the intestinal tract). Then the MRI images are taken. Risks and dangers must also be taken into account if contrast medium is swallowed