Sacrum MRI examination
The sacrum MRI scan is primarily used for the early detection of inflammatory diseases affecting the sacroiliac joints. Inflammation of the joints in the early stage is characterized by oedema and little synovial fluid.
The magnetic field generated by the MRI device converts the energy changes in the body into a high-resolution, three-dimensional image by a high-performance computer.
At Medicover Diagnostic Center, we use equipment that works with a closed but extremely short tube, it is 10 centimetres wider than average, its diameter is 70 cm, thus helping reduce the feeling of confinement.
What types of diseases does the sacrum MRI scan help diagnose?
The sacrum MRI scan can diagnose several types of diseases. Your doctor may request an examination if you have the following complaints or illnesses.
- mechanically induced arthritis (e.g. in a car accident)
- autoimmune arthritis
- Bechterew’s disease
In case of which symptoms is it recommended to have the examination performed?
Your doctor may consider a sacrum MRI examination if you have long-standing local pain, reduced mobility, you often have a temperature, you are weak, and you experience stiffness in the hip and lower extremities in the morning.
How to prepare for sacrum MRI examination?
In all cases, it is recommended that the treating physician be consulted prior to the MRI examination, although native examination does not require special preparation.
It is important to know that due to the strong magnetic field, it is forbidden to bring any metal, device or object containing metal into the examination room! This applies to jewellery, piercings in the body, and some makeup products may contain a substance that affects the success of the examination.
Prior to an examination with contrast agent, specialist consultation is essential. Kidney function laboratory results showing creatinine and urea values are also required to perform this type of scan. In case of an examination with contrast agent, you should not eat for 6 hours beforehand.
How is the examination performed?
Following the orientation prior to the sacrum MRI examination, the operator will escort you into the MRI examination room and then ask you to be seated on the examination bed. The operator adjusts the correct body position, places the coils required for the scan and then the examination bed lifts you into the magnetic tube. It is important to remain still during the scan, you can only change your body position on the instructions of the operator. The investigation takes an average of 30 minutes, while you can communicate with our colleague continuously through the built-in microphone and speaker. The machine makes a loud, rattling sound that can be reduced with ear protection.
When can a sacrum MRI examination not be performed?
- The examination cannot be performed in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- The examination cannot be performed if you do not have an MRI compatible metal, implant, prosthesis (pacemaker), orthopaedic metal (screw, plate, nail, wire), implanted joint prosthesis, prosthetic limb, implanted defibrillator, neurostimulator, implanted drug dispenser, vascular implants (e.g. clips, vascular occlusion devices), ear implants, metal foreign body (e.g. bullet, splinter, other electronic implants). Therefore, in case of an implant, implanted metal, prosthesis, please bring a written certificate of its compatibility with MRI examination (certified by the implanting specialist, institution) for the examination itself, which clearly states: the suitability to enter the MRI examination room, to perform the MRI examination and marking the maximum magnetic field strength (1.5 Tesla, 3 Tesla) for the device or implant. Inform the person performing the examination about the implant beforehand.
- If the subject weighs more than 200 kilograms, but it also depends on the circumference of the abdomen.
- In case of a scan with contrast agent, if the eGFR of the kidney function is below 45 ml/min, the test is not performed.
What to expect after the test?
The finding in itself is not a diagnosis. After the sacrum MRI examination, please always consult a specialist with the result.
The contrast agent used for MRI examinations is gadolinium-based. In rare cases, hypersensitivity might happen, which may occur in the form of an allergic reaction immediately after the administration of the contrast agent.
When is the result expected?
The completed recording will be reviewed by the radiologist and the result will be available in our online system after 3 working days.
