The MRI examination usually begins with an informative discussion with the respective specialist. Preparations at home are usually not necessary, but care should be taken to ensure that no fluid or food intake takes place about four hours before the examination. Since contrast media is often used in the shoulder MRI examination for better visualization, the patient is kept sober in the event of a very rare reaction with nausea and vomiting. In the shoulder MRI examination, there is often the exception that contrast agent is given in advance of the actual examination for better assessment. About 10 minutes before the start of the examination, the patient is given the contrast agent either via the vein (indirect arthrography) or in the shoulder joint itself (direct arthrography) injected. The patient is then stopped to move the shoulder joint for 10 minutes.
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To partial undressing and the Put down ALL metallic objects from the body, the patient lies in Supine position on a flat examination table, which is then inserted into the MRT machine for approx. 20-minute examination duration is pushed in (the head is also in the device during the shoulder examination). In order to shield the patient from the loud knocking noise during the examination, the patient is usually also given headphone. Furthermore, the patient holds a so-called Emergency button in one hand that can be pressed at any time in the event of problems or complications.
With an MRI scan of the shoulder it is not necessary strictly sober (Strictly sobering means no fluid or food intake after 10 p.m. the day before the examination) to appear at the examination appointment. Only from 4 hours before imaging Food and fluid intake should be avoided. The reason for this lies in the possibilitythat during the MRI scan the injection of Contrast media may be necessary. It comes in rarest cases to a Intolerance reaction with nausea and vomitingthen an empty stomach makes things easier. Only in the case of special MRI examinations of the gastrointestinal tract is it necessary to be absolutely or strictly sober before starting the examination.
$config[ads_text2] not foundAs during an MRI examination strong magnetic fields it is important that no metal objects get in or near the examination device.The extent to which the patient is encouraged to take off his or her clothing depends on whether there are metallic objects (buttons, zippers, bra hangers, etc.) on the respective items of clothing. When doing an MRI scan of the shoulder usually a t-shirt or undershirt can be left on, but women in particular are encouraged to use the Take off your bra underneath. It is also important to ensure that Piercings in the area (Nipple piercing, navel piercing etc.) as well away become.
An MRI of the shoulder joint usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The time of preparation is not included here. At a special investigation but it can also 30 to 60 minutes take until the examination is completed. After the examination, the MRI images are printed out or burned on CD and then with the patient discussed.
This also takes about 30 minutes, depending on the extent of the disease. One should look for the full scope of the investigation take about 1 ½ to 2 hours.
The duration of an MRI of the shoulder joint is more of the processes within radiology than dependent on the speed of the MRI machine.
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$config[ads_text3] not foundWhether contrast media are used always depends on which structures in the shoulder joint are to be examined in the MRI.
There are two ways to administer contrast media. On the one hand, you can put the contrast agent in the vein. However, it is better to administer the contrast agent directly into the joint, which, however, delays the duration of the MRI and is associated with a higher risk of infection.
Contrast media injected especially when one
want to investigate. Also when assessing the bursa over the rotator cuff with regard to bursitis of the shoulder (Subacromial bursitis) contrast agent is required. The contrast agent is injected into the arm through a vein and thus increases the tissue contrast. As a rule, the contrast media are well tolerated. They do not contain iodine and are not chemically similar to the contrast media used in X-ray examinations, which is why they can also be used if you are allergic to X-ray contrast media.
They are excreted in the urine after just a few hours. When examining the cartilage bulge (labrum) Contrast media are also used around the joint socket and articular cartilage.
This contrasts with the examination without contrast agent, which is used for the following structures to be examined:
Read more on the topic: MRI with contrast agent - is it dangerous?
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Magnetic resonance imaging is mainly used when Injuries of the Soft tissues and / or the Tendons be suspected.
Mostly, the MRI of the shoulder joint Tears or Cracks of tendons in the Rotator cuff or the long one Biceps tendon found. Furthermore, you can do a possible Bursitis (Bursitis) recognize or exclude. Does the A tumor is suspected of the shoulder soft tissues, is also used for diagnostics using MRI, as this is X-rays, Ultrasonic (Sonography) or CT (Computed tomography) can't see. The MRI can also be helpful in diagnosing a fracture, a change in the joint or if the joint is infected. In order to make a diagnosis, however, it is always important that, in addition to magnetic resonance imaging, all other examination methods, such as CT, ultrasound and x-rays and a good one anamnese be performed.
The indications for an MRI examination of the shoulder include diseases of the muscle-tendon apparatus as well as events in the joint itself and the surrounding soft tissue.
The assessment of fractures (Fractures) in the bones involved in the shoulder joint (upper arm, shoulder blade, collarbone) is also possible, but because of the better representation of bone structures, CT or conventional X-rays are more suitable for this.
One possible indication for an MRI imaging of the shoulder is inflammatory processes in the shoulder joint itself, which can have a wide variety of causes (e.g. infections, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic diseases such as gout or activated osteoarthritis in the sense of joint wear).
In the same way, inflammation of the bursa surrounding the shoulder joint (Bursitis) being represented.
Another indication are lesions on the muscle-tendon apparatus of the shoulder joint: this includes diseases of the rotator cuff (e.g. tears in one or more tendons of the four shoulder muscles) and the so-called SLAP lesion (tear in the biceps tendon anchor) glenohumeral instability called (injury to the cartilage lip on the upper edge of the joint socket, where the long biscephalic tendon originates).
Furthermore, a clinically established shoulder instability is a possible indication for an MRI. The instability can be traumatic (e.g. due to an accident), microtraumatic (due to permanent overloading caused by micro-injuries) or atraumatic (e.g. due to a congenital, too wide joint capsule), but also a recurring shoulder joint instability after an already performed operation in this area, may warrant MRI imaging.
In addition, injuries in the acromioclavicular joint (ACG; joint between collarbone and shoulder) indicate an MRI scan. This includes in particular the ACG blast, a lesion in the ligamentous apparatus of this joint.
In addition to these musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder, the diagnosis of tumorous events in the shoulder area is also viewed as a possible indication for an MRI of the shoulder joint.
The Cost of an MRI scan the shoulder distinguish easily between one Private patients and one Cash patients.
The reason for this is that the former are remunerated according to the Fee Ordinance for Doctors (GÖA) and the latter according to the Uniform Assessment Standard (EBM).
The Remuneration rates are lower for statutory health insurance patients than with private patients, which should aim to keep health care costs as low as possible.
Of the Base price for the pure MRI examination of the shoulder joint is at least € 139.89 for private patients and self-payers and at least 124.60 € for statutory health insurance patients.
You can use these basic amounts additional costs be offset, depending on whether additional recordings in special joint positions for special questions or Contrast media is used.
Basically, the costs for an MRI examination of the shoulder joint are only covered by the health insurance companies if there is a reason or an indication for this. Patients who request an MRI examination on their own initiative without a medical need to do so are usually not reimbursed for the costs.
Whenever the urgent suspicion of a tendon tear exists in the shoulder (Rotator cuff tear or tear) and the history and physical examination of the shoulder joint suggest it is one special education necessary in order to substantiate or confirm the suspicion and then to be able to initiate optimal therapy.
On the one hand, the Ultrasonic, but especially an MRI image of the shoulder joint.
The latter is very good precisely because magnetic resonance imaging High resolution sectional images generated and especially for the Representation of non-osseous tissue (including tendons) is suitable.
Often there is a during or before the MRI examination Contrast medium administration necessaryto improve imaging and still more accurate representations of the shoulder joint and the surrounding structures.
On an MRI image, the attending physician can then see exactly whether, where and to what extent a tendon is torn, so that a decision can then be made as to whether conservative or surgical therapy is sensible and needs to be initiated.
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