MRT Lung
The lung is dark in the conventional MRI image and therefore cannot be displayed well. There are various research approaches to making an MRI examination of the lungs possible, for example by inhaling gases as a contrast medium. However, what MRI examinations of the chest area are routinely used for is the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
This refers to the acute occlusion of one or more pulmonary vessels, which is usually triggered by deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Other changes in the blood vessels of the lung such as arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or aneurysms (bulging of the vessel wall) can also be visualized. In addition, tumors in the lung as well as tumors in the esophagus or heart can be visualized by means of an MRI examination.
MRI examination of the lung is also important in the case of inflammatory changes, for example in cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis). The same contraindications apply here as for any MRI examination. Important A heart MRI cannot be combined with an MRI of the lungs in one session.
Do I have to attend the examination sober?
An MRI examination of the heart does not have to be performed in a fasting state. A light meal can be taken before the examination and the medication is usually taken as usual, unless there is a precise agreement with the treating physician that something should be left out for the examination. When taking nitrates, beta-blockers or molsidomine, an MRI examination of the heart may not be feasible if there is no possibility to stop taking these drugs about 24 hours before the examination.
In case of doubt, the doctor should be consulted about taking the medication. In addition, certain foods should not be taken in the 24 hours prior to a cardiac MRI because their ingredients may influence the heart activity and falsify the results of the examination. These include, for example, (also decaffeinated) coffee, tea, chocolate, cola or energy drinks.
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