Whole-body MRI - or GK-MRI for short - is an imaging procedure used to diagnose various diseases. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, but the terms MRI and MRI are also widely used. You can find out below when a whole-body MRI is used, how it is performed and what you should bear in mind as a patient. You can also find specialists for whole-body MRI here.
X-rays and computer tomography involve a certain amount of radiation exposure for the patient. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), on the other hand, does not involve any radiation at all.
It works with strong magnetic fields that set the hydrogen atoms in the human body in motion. These movements are analyzed and converted into sectional images. The more hydrogen is contained in a tissue, the more detailed it can be depicted using magnetic resonance imaging.
The following are particularly clearly visible in an MRI
X-rays are still the best diagnostic method for examining the bones. Computed tomography (CT) is the preferred or complementary method for examining the lungs and heart in particular.
A whole-body MRI does not take much time: as a rule, the entire body is examined in a maximum of 60 minutes.
Before the whole-body MRI begins, the patient removes all metal objects such as
off. In some cases, a contrast agent is also administered. This serves to visualize the arteries and veins even more clearly. To do this, the doctor inserts a cannula into a vein in the crook of the arm.
For the actual full-body MRI, the patient sits on a couch. They are given headphones to protect their hearing from the loud knocking noises of the MRI machine. The couch slowly moves through the MRI coil, starting at the head or feet.
It takes around 40 to 60 minutes for the entire body to be scanned. The patient remains in contact with the radiographer via an intercom system. They are also given an emergency button that they can press if the examination becomes too loud or uncomfortable. The magnetic resonance imaging is then stopped immediately.
After the whole-body MRI, a radiologist analyzes the data.
Lying in front of an MRI machine © digitale-fotografien | AdobeStock
Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging is used for the early detection of various diseases. Cardiovascular diseases in particular are initially asymptomatic. However, they should be detected early in order to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
If a doctor's suspicions are not confirmed by a physical examination and blood count, they can also order a whole-body MRI. This makes calcifications and narrowing of the blood vessels (such as arterial stenosis or arteriosclerosis) visible. This allows suitable treatment to be initiated in good time.
Magnetic resonance imaging is also used for rheumatic-inflammatory diseases. Such diseases often affect not only the joints, but also other areas of the body.
The advantage of a whole-body MRI is that the entire body is scanned in just one session. Further diagnostic procedures, which are associated with high costs and a high level of stress for the patient, often become superfluous.
Another area of application for whole-body MRI is cancer diagnostics and the detection of metastases. Benign bone growths (exostoses), the development of which must be monitored regularly, can also be examined quickly with an MRI.
Patients can have a whole-body MRI as part of a preventive examination. However, health insurance companies will only cover the costs if the doctor has reasonable grounds for suspecting a certain disease.
If you would like to pay for the examination yourself, you should request a cost estimate in advance and seek comprehensive advice.
A whole-body MRI is primarily required and requested by the following specialists for diagnostic purposes:
As not every doctor's surgery has an MRI machine, a referral is usually made to
A whole-body MRI is not suitable for all groups of people. For example, pregnant women should avoid an MRI in the first three months of pregnancy. The possible effects on the unborn child have not yet been sufficiently researched.
Furthermore, whole-body MRI is only possible to a limited extent and with special precautions for the following people:
If you have an implant in your body, be sure to talk to your doctor. Depending on the material used, a whole-body MRI is still possible in many cases. This is especially true for newer implants, which are often made of gold, Teflon or other non-magnetic materials.
If there is a possibility that there are metal splinters in your body, you should also clarify this with your doctor. This is because any metal parts are set in motion by the powerful magnets of the MRI machine, which is associated with a high risk of injury.
Tattoos can lead to burns and image interference. It must be carefully considered whether the examination should be carried out.
Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging is not associated with any risks. The examination does not involve any radiation at all and is absolutely painless.
However, many patients complain about the high volume in the MRI machine, which can be very stressful even when wearing headphones. However, there are now more modern MRI machines that work more quietly and are also less sensitive to movement.
Patients who are prone to panic attacks in confined spaces can be given a mild sedative before the examination begins. Alternatively, many hospitals and radiology practices now offer open MRI machines that are less cramped.
Despite the numerous advantages, some doctors are critical of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging. Above all, they criticize the fact that this diagnostic procedure often finds abnormalities that have no pathological value. However, they can still be a burden for the patient. This is the case in around 40 to 50 percent of examinations.
A detailed discussion with the patient after evaluating the data is therefore essential. The doctor should provide the patient with comprehensive information and make it clear that not every abnormality is a cause for concern.
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