Friday, February, 10, 2012

MRI of the head

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Nuclear magnetic resonance - cranial; Magnetic resonance imaging - cranial; MRI of the head; MRI - cranial; NMR - cranial; Cranial MRI; Brain MRI; MRI - brain; MRI - head


Normal Values


What abnormal results mean

Abnormal results may be due to:

  • Abnormal blood vessels in the brain (arteriovenous malformations of the head)
  • Acoustic neuroma
  • Bleeding in the brain
  • Brain abscess
  • Brain aneurysms
  • Brain tissue swelling
  • Brain tumors
  • Damage to the brain from an injury
  • Hydrocephalus (fluid collecting around the brain)
  • Infection of the bones (osteomyelitis)
  • Loss of brain tissue
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Optic glioma
  • Pituitary tumor
  • Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
  • Structural problems in the brain, blood vessels, or pituitary gland

Review Date: 11/21/2010
Reviewed By: Ken Levin, MD, private practice specializing in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Allentown, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)