MRI Orbits-Face-Neck with and without Contrast
About Test
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging modality that uses a magnetic field, the energy of radio waves, and a computer to create images of internal body organs, bones, and soft tissues. Orbit refers to the structures related to your eyeball, including bones, muscles, arteries, and nerves. Your face is composed of multiple bones and muscles and has blood vessels and nerves along with nose and nasal cavities. Your Neck has many important structures like thyroid and parathyroid glands, muscles, blood and lymphatic vessels, and lymph nodes. All in all, multiple important structures are located in the entire area of orbit, face, and neck. MRI is used to visualize these structures for the presence of masses, inflammations, blood vessel problems, etc.
MRI orbit-face neck can be done with or without contrast. Contrast is a special dye usually injected through a vein in your arm to enhance the image quality.
Why and when do you need this test?
Your doctor may advise this test if you have signs and symptoms related to the structures present in these areas or if they find any abnormality on physical examination or other investigations.
Some of the indications for performing an MRI Orbit-face-neck may include the following;
- Pain in the eye
- Problems with the vision
- Trauma to the eye
- Abnormal eye examination: exophthalmos, enophthalmos, optic disc swelling, ophthalmoplegia, etc.
- Trauma or Infection in the nose or sinuses
- Problems with the smell: Anosmia/ dysosmia
- Sensory (trigeminal neuralgia) or motor problems related to the face
- Face trauma
- Neck mass
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Suspected tumor/cancer
Do you need to prepare for the test?
It is a special test that may need some preparation.
- You can eat or drink normally before the test.
- Since the test uses a magnetic field, you may need to tell the doctor if you have any metal implants, pacemakers, or prostheses in your body and bring detailed information about them.
- You would be asked not to wear any jewelry or watches or not bring keys, credit cards, or ATM cards.
What can you expect?
- You will be asked to lie down on the table that will slide into the MRI machine that looks like a large tunnel
- You need to lie down still and not move to prevent the images from getting blurry.
- Inside the machine, you will hear tapping or snapping noises.
- For an MRI scan with contrast, a contrast material will be injected through a vein in your arm.
- You will be alone in the room but under the constant care of a technician across the glass window who will be talking to you.
- It is a painless procedure that lasts for about 30-60 minutes but may take longer.
- You will be able to return to your daily activities normally after the test.
Are there any risks to this test?
There is a slight chance of allergic reaction to the contrast material, but it can be controlled through medicines.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, lactating, or have kidney disease.
What do the test results mean?
A radiologist who is an expert in interpreting MRI results will send a signed report to your doctor. Your doctor could tell you if the report shows any abnormality that may be causing your symptoms.
Some of the abnormal results may include;
- Optic neuritis
- Orbital mass/ tumor/ cancer
- Infections in the soft tissues or bones of the orbit
- Rhinosinusitis
- Sinonasal obstruction/ mass
- Tumor in the mouth/ throat/ glands
- Tumor of the thyroid/ parathyroid glands
- Lymphadenopathy
Related Tests:
Other related tests may include:
- CT scan orbit-face-neck
- X-ray of the sinuses
- Ultrasound of the neck
