MRI of the stomach and intestines: what shows and preparation for the procedure

Timely diagnosis of the disease is the key to successful treatment. Many diseases are not characterized by pronounced symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify them. The study of the digestive organs became possible thanks to the MRI of the stomach and intestines. What this method shows, and what pathologies are detected with its help, read on.

Methods for examining the stomach and intestines

It is quite difficult to determine the source of painful sensations in the abdominal region. The disease may not manifest itself for a long period of time and may not be diagnosed by the finger method.

Table 1. Methods of examination of the intestines and stomach

Procedure	Description
Endoscopy	The device, which is a tube with a small video camera on one side, is inserted through the esophagus. On the other side of the device there is a peephole through which the specialist examines the walls and mucous membrane of the stomach. Also, with its help, you can take material for the detection of malignant tumors.
Fibrocolonoscopy	Examination of the intestine with a tube through the anus. Painful enough, but informative method.
Capsule research	A painless method for detecting diseases localized in hard-to-reach areas of the digestive system. An apparatus is fixed on the patient's body for scanning the results, which are provided by an endocapsule placed in the stomach. The duration of the procedure is about 8 hours. The capsule comes out naturally without causing any discomfort.
Colonoscopy	Highly informative, but unpleasant way of examination. A tourniquet equipped with a camera is inserted through the anus. During the procedure, there is a distension in the abdominal cavity. Sensitive patients may experience pain. The method is good for detecting tumors and intestinal adhesions. It also provides the ability to take tissue for biopsy.
CT scan	During the examination, the patient goes through X-ray irradiation. This method is used to examine internal organs.
Magnetic resonance imaging	A painless but expensive procedure. The scanning machine allows you to identify hidden pathologies, but without the possibility of taking a biopsy.
Hydro-MRI	The principle of action consists in double contrasting of the intestinal walls: with liquid injected into the intestinal cavity and intravenous contrast that accumulates in the wall. The preparations do not contain iodine and practically do not contribute to the occurrence of allergic reactions.

Reasons for prescribing an MRI

The digestive system is a multifunctional mechanism based on the transformation of food into easily digestible elements and the removal of decay by-products. Well-organized activity of all links of this chain affects the degree of saturation of the body with useful elements.

Malfunctions of the digestive organs manifest themselves through the following symptoms:

• recurrent abdominal pain;
• a sharp decrease in body weight;
• loss of appetite;
• stool disorders.

If such symptoms appear, you should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist and proctologist.

This research method is relevant at the risk of the following diseases:

• internal bleeding;
• inflammation of the mucous membranes;
• intestinal obstruction;
• tumor;
• ulcer;
• gastritis.

Also, MRI will help identify a foreign body in the digestive tract.

This type of tomography is not informative enough in the following situations:

• minor inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes;
• too "mobile" peristalsis.

This method is not used in emergency situations. Computed tomography is a faster way to examine the body. For making urgent diagnostic decisions, it is out of competition. For routine diagnostics of the digestive system, the importance of CT and MRI is equivalent.

Features of MRI

An MRI of the digestive system is performed using a tomograph. Thanks to the magnetic field, a three-dimensional image is obtained, which makes it possible to identify diseases that are not determined by other methods.

Areas suitable for checking by this method:

• small pelvis and large intestine;
• middle section of the intestine.

The latter area is clearly visible using hydro-MRI.

Table 2. MRI techniques

Method	Description
Without the introduction of a contrast agent	A poorly informative method for detecting diseases of hollow organs. Visualization is carried out by contacting human hydrogen atoms with the device's magnetic field. Since the stomach and intestines are voids, they are not as clearly displayed in the picture as, for example, the gallbladder.
Using contrast	It is carried out using the introduction of a contrast agent. It is more meaningful, and gives an accurate opportunity to detect pathology and determine its size.

The latter method is often used to study diseases of the intestines, spinal cord and brain.

Contrast agent

The main element of the contrast agent is gadolinium, which practically does not cause allergic reactions compared to preparations with a high iodine content.

At the heart of the chemical compound is a chelating agent that makes it possible to evenly distribute gadolinium in the body. It also prevents intoxication, which can be caused by the accumulation of dangerous doses of the substance. Such a procedure is possible only after the approval of its expediency by a radiologist.

What does an MRI show?

In the organs of the digestive system, especially in the intestines, benign tumors periodically appear - neurofibromas, adenomas or leiomyomas. Due to the asymptomatic nature of these pathologies at the early stages of development, they are difficult to detect and prevent the transition to a malignant form. MRI allows not only to identify, but also to localize neoplasms.

MRI makes it possible to detect the following pathologies:

• malignant tumors;
• gastritis at the stage of transition to ulcers;
• acute inflammatory processes;
• mesenteric anomalies;
• intestinal obstruction.

Also, this method makes it possible to measure the depth of the lesion of the intestinal walls.

Due to the fact that MRI does not give a complete picture of the internal structure of an organ, other diagnostic methods are also used during the examination. For example, if there is a risk of the presence of an autoimmune disease, a colonoscopy is necessary. This procedure allows tissue to be taken for laboratory examination.

In terms of comfort, tomography outperforms colonoscopy, since it does not cause painful sensations. However, the capabilities of MRI are limited by the specifics of the structure of the gastrointestinal tract. She copes well with visualization of the stomach and colon, but examination of the intestinal loops layered on top of each other is not always informative.

Contraindications to the procedure

Due to the fact that it is difficult for children under 7 years of age to remain stationary for 1 hour, the use of MRI is not recommended.

Contraindications to the study are:

• the presence of pacemakers and insulin pumps;
• an allergic reaction to the administration of gadolinium;
• renal failure;
• the presence of metal implants in the body;
• pregnancy.

If the subject is claustrophobic, an open-type apparatus is preferred.

Preparing for an MRI

The preparatory process does not take much time and is a simple undertaking.

Before having an MRI:

1. Go on a diet 2 days before the procedure. The food you eat should not generate excessive gas formation, such as beans. It is advisable to exclude carbonated, alcoholic drinks and flour products from the diet.
2. According to the doctor's prescription, it is possible to use a cleansing enema and drugs that reduce the formation of gases.

It is recommended to undergo an MRI of the digestive system in the morning, before meals.

Features of the procedure

The procedure is carried out in several stages. The number of phases is due to the need for the use of a contrast agent or its absence.

Stages of MRI:

1. The examinee is placed on the movable table of the device with the help of the personnel of the MRI room.
2. After the preparatory manipulations, the tomograph is switched on, and the table "drives" into the chamber or into a circle with a magnetic field in the case of using an open-type MRI.
3. In most cases, the gadolinium medication is administered after the normal imaging procedure.
4. The injection is done intravenously on the tomograph table using a special syringe or injector. The duration of the injection is from 10 to 30 seconds.
5. Then the patient is again placed in the tunnel of the apparatus, and a second examination begins.
6. Upon completion of the study, the tomograph leaves the circle or camera, and the laboratory assistant helps to get up from the table.

During the procedure, the patient is alone in the room where the tomograph is located. The staff conducts surveillance in the adjacent room.

The process of conducting magnetic resonance imaging is quite noisy. With the help of a microphone built into the device, it is possible to inform the doctor about the deterioration of health. Sensitive subjects may experience dizziness, nausea, or panic attacks.

Hydro-MRI

The event is aimed at studying the intestines pre-filled with a special substance. A feature of this element is to slow down the process of water absorption. This helps to align and stretch the walls of the organ, which makes it possible to detect the tumor at the earliest stage of development.

Features of the study:

• the solution must be drunk 30 minutes before the start of the manipulation. If this is not possible, it is administered with an enema;
• a gadolinium-based contrast agent is injected intravenously.

Further passage of the procedure is similar to a conventional MRI.

Before the hydro-procedure, it is forbidden to drink any drinks, including water, coffee or tea. Beforehand, you need to take drugs, the action of which is aimed at cleansing the intestines. The dosage should be agreed with the treating doctor. As well as before the MRI, the patient must adhere to the diet 3 days before the visit to the doctor. The examination should preferably be done in the morning on an empty stomach. The results of the study - a printed image of organs, a video recording and anamnesis are issued on the day of the procedure.

There are advantages and disadvantages to any type of diagnosis. A high pain threshold, the presence of implants, pregnancy, contraindications to X-ray irradiation, allergy to a contrast agent can be an obstacle to the use of various methods. However, among the existing methods of effective examination of the stomach and intestines, MRI has many advantages over its “colleagues”.

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