MR thigh
MRI is currently the most modern and accurate non-invasive method of imaging the human body.
It allows to precisely identify the source of pain, determine the nature of the condition (traumatic, inflammatory, cancerous) or the severity of degenerative changes. MRI of the shoulder is a completely safe, non-invasive and painless examination.
Our laboratory has one of the most modern MRI machines in Poznan and Poland, namely Siemens Magnetom Sola 1.5T. Images made with this apparatus are characterized by extraordinary quality, unprecedented among older generation cameras. On top of that, the inside of the MRI is 10 cm larger in diameter, providing comfort to claustrophobic patients without compromising the quality of the examination, which happens in so-called open MRIs.
Anatomy of the femur
The femur is the longest and heaviest bone in the human body. It performs an important function, allowing the human body to stand upright and also enables movement.
The marrow present in the femur also performs hematopoietic functions. It also provides support for many of the muscles that move the lower limb.
The femur consists of two ends (the distal and proximal epiphysis) and the shaft. The ends of the bone are made up of spongy substance surrounded by a layer of compact substance. The shaft, on the other hand, is a thick layer of compact substance that surrounds the marrow cavity.
Indications for magnetic resonance imaging of the thigh
- Inflammatory processes of bone and periosteal soft tissues,
- rheumatoid processes,
- Benign and malignant tumors,
- Pre- and post-operative evaluation,
- Assessment of lesions and post-traumatic complications,
- bone necroses
- nerve and vascular injuries
- degenerative bone processes
- Bone injuries and fractures, including fatigue fractures
Contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging of the thigh
- pacemakers, defibrillators or cardiac pacemakers
- insulin pumps
- neurostimulators
- Hearing prostheses, intracochlear implants
- Any ferromagnetic prosthesis (old type), metal bullets, metal filings (especially in the eye) and other metals placed in the body.
- Dental implants, retainers or even fixed braces are not a contraindication to the test.
- Currently, a large number of implants are not a contraindication to examination in the high electromagnetic field found in MRI, because they are created from alloys of materials that do not show ferromagnetic properties, such as titanium.
- A special contraindication is the patient’s pregnancy, especially the first trimester! Patients during pregnancy are strongly discouraged from having an MRI unless the mother’s life is at risk and the test cannot be postponed.
Course of MR examination of the thigh
On the day of the examination, you must appear half an hour before your appointment to complete the questionnaire. We ask that each patient bring all medical records pertaining to the area being examined, i.e. previous descriptions and records of imaging studies, hospital discharges, appointment cards, etc.
No special preparation is needed for the examination without the use of a contrast agent. Magnetic resonance examination of the thigh lasts from 45 minutes to one hour (in the case of examinations with contrast). During the examination, you should lie as still as possible, in particular, you cannot move the examined thigh.
The MRI makes loud noises during the test, but the patient is always given earplugs or headphones to muffle the noise.