Cerebral aneurysm
Cerebral aneurysm occurs when a weakness in the blood vessel of the brain causes it to bulge. This can be congenital or caused due to injury. A few cerebral aneurysms might rupture especially in cases of hypertension. A person suffering cerebral aneursym might suffer loss of vision, double vision and headaches. There might be increased intracranial pressure and swelling of the optic nerve. Brain MRI or CAT are taken to ascertain presence and location and size of Cerebral aneurysm. Spinal tap might be done.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
An aneurysm indicates a localized dilation of a blood vessel. An aortic aneursym is a medical condition where a large artery bulges. This usually occurs due to some inherent weakness in the aortic wall at a particular location. Abdominal aortic aneurysm generally occurs due to infection, congenital weakening of the arterial wall or trauma. With an aortic aneurysm, there is a risk of rupture and possible internal hemorrhage. Rupture of an aneurysm is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, this condition can be fatal. Men are more likely to develop abdominal aortic aneurysm. Typically this condition occurs in the age group of 60 - 70 years.
Cigarettte smoking, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol can increase the risk of developing aortic aneurysm. Most of the time abdominal aortic aneurysm is asymptomatic. This condition is often noticed during abdominal scan or CT scan. Often aortic aneurysms develop over time. The common cause of an aortic aneursym is arteriosclerosis. This consequently leads to weakened aortic walls. An abdominal aortic aneurysm may cause throbbing in a part of the abdominal mass. But if there has been a rupture, it can result in severe pain in the lower back. The person is likely to feel faint and light headed. There is excessive thirst and tachycardia.
Abdominal x-rays and angriography of aorta can help reveal an aortic aneurysm. The complications of an aortic aneurysm include myocardial infection, arterial embolism and stroke. Medications are prescribed to those suffering from small aortic aneurysms. This can slow down the rate of growth of the aneurysm.
Surgical treatment of aortic aneurysm involves opening up the aortal dilation and inserting a patch tube. Surgery is resorted to depending on the state of the aneurysm and its risk of rupture. Stenting is another surgical option for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) represents a breakthrough in medical diagnostics and research. Nearly 60 million investigations with MRI are performed every year worldwide. This imaging technique was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 2003. MRI has been used since the beginning of 1980s. MRI is primarily used in medical settings to produce high quality images of the inside of the human body. Magnetic field of radio waves energy is used to capture pictures of organs and structures inside the body. The MRI scan used magnetic and radio waves and therefore there is no exposure as in X rays or any other damaging forms of radiation. Since radiation is not used, the procedure can be repeated without problems.
MRI is used to examine the joints, spine and the soft parts of the human body such as liver, kidneys and spleen. An MRI scan is used in the diagnosis of diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal gas, chronic pain, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, Cardiomyopathy, Devic's syndrome and headaches in children. It is used in to study specific conditions such as:
- Trauma to the brain, bleeding and swelling in the head
- Brain aneurysm
- Stroke
- Brain tumor
- Tumors or inflammation of the spine
- Trauma of the spinal cord
- Problems of vertebrae or intervertebral discs of the spine
- Tears and aneurysms in the structure of heart and aorta
- Information on glands and organs in the abdomen
- Structure of joints, soft tissues and bones of the body
- To direct surgery or to defer surgery.
During a MRI Scanning procedure, patient is made to lie in a closed area inside a magnetic field. This creates claustrophobic sensation in certain patients during the procedure. Normally a mild sedative is given prior to the MRI scan and this helps to alleviate the claustrophobic sensation. The new open MRI is open on three sides and this helps to alleviate the feeling of claustrophobia. The new open MRI scanner provides quality imaging with highest performance specifications with a powerful and stronger magnet. Scanning is also done much faster. It has the ability to detect diseases more accurately.
Bibliography / Reference
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