MRI Chest: Cost, Purpose, Procedure & Results [2024]
An MRI scan of the chest is a non-invasive and painless diagnostic test that helps visualize the internal organs and structures in the chest. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, and it uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce high-resolution images of the chest. It helps diagnose various medical conditions, such as heart diseases, lung cancer, and infections. Further, it can aid to assess the function and structure of the heart and lungs and to monitor the effectiveness of certain treatments. The cost of an MRI Chest ranges from Rs 3000 to Rs 7000.
Your doctor may recommend an MRI Chest examination if you have the following symptoms
- Coughing, sometimes with phlegm or blood
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Wheezing or whistling sound when breathing
- Fatigue or weakness
- Recurrent infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis
- Rapid heartbeat or breathing
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen
- Bluish color to the lips or face
MRI Chest Test Details in Brief
Also Known As | Chest MRI, Thoracic MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the chest |
Purpose | To diagnose or monitor various conditions and diseases, including pneumonia, lung cancer, heart disease, pulmonary embolism, infections like TB, etc. |
Preparation | No special preparation is required. |
Fasting | No |
Machine Used | MRI Machine |
Reporting Time | <24 Hrs. |
Cost | Rs. 3000 to Rs. 7000 |
Cost of MRI Chest
The price for the MRI Chest depends on the type of scan, use of contrast, MRI Centres and machine (1.5 or 3 Tesla). Bookmerilab has partnered with more than 502 MRI centres in India. You can book an MRI scan at a discounted price.
Prices in Popular Diagnostic Centres
The table below lists the prices at some of the popular MRI centres in India. The cost of an MRI Chest ranges from Rs 3000 to Rs 7000.
Diagnostic Centres | Price |
---|---|
Janta X-Ray Clinic | ₹ 2999 |
City X-Ray | ₹ 5600 |
Mahajan Imaging | ₹ 7200 |
Aarthi Scans | ₹ 3285 |
Healthmap | ₹ 3307 |
Srivastava MRI | ₹ 5250 |
Pulse Imaging | ₹ 5250 |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital – KRSNAA | ₹ 2625 |
NM Medical | ₹ 7225 |
Shree Krishna Diagnostics | ₹ 4900 |
Vijaya Diagnostic Centre | ₹ 8000 |
Aloka Medicare Pvt Ltd | ₹ 6650 |
Cost in Different Cities
The MRI Chest cost varies depending on the lab and the city.
Indian Cities | Cost |
---|---|
MRI Chest Cost in Delhi | ₹ 2500 – ₹ 7200 |
MRI Chest Cost in Gurgaon | ₹ 3300 – ₹ 7200 |
MRI Chest Cost in Noida | ₹ 5250 – ₹ 7000 |
MRI Chest Cost in Mumbai | ₹ 2625 – ₹ 7225 |
MRI Chest Cost in Kolkata | ₹ 3285 – ₹ 6650 |
MRI Chest Cost in Hyderabad | ₹ 3285 – ₹ 8000 |
MRI Chest Cost in Bangalore | ₹ 3285 – ₹ 3650 |
MRI Chest Cost in Chennai | ₹ 3285 – ₹ 4050 |
Anatomy of the Chest
Let us now briefly understand the anatomy of the chest. The anatomy of the chest includes the thoracic cage, which is made up of the rib cage and the sternum.
- Bones– The rib cage is made up of 12 pairs of ribs, the sternum, and the thoracic vertebrae.
- Vital Organs– The lungs and heart are located within the thoracic cage, protected by the ribs.
- The diaphragm, a muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities, also plays a role in breathing by contracting and relaxing to change the volume of the thoracic cavity during inspiration and expiration.
- Blood Vessels– The large blood vessels, including the aorta and vena cava, also pass through the thoracic cavity.
Purpose of MRI Scans of Chest
The purpose of an MRI chest is to provide detailed images of the organs and structures within the chest, including the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and surrounding muscles and bones. In order to detect any abnormalities related to these organs, MRI Chest plays an important role. It can help in the diagnosis and treatment planning of many conditions like the ones listed below-
- Diagnosis of heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease and heart failure, and determine the best course of treatment.
- Detect abnormalities in the lungs, such as tumors, and cysts
- Determine the stage and extent of cancer.
- Evaluate the mediastinum, the space between the lungs that contains the heart, the oesophagus, the trachea, and the major blood vessels. This can be helpful in diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as mediastinal masses, lymphadenopathy, etc.
- Assessment of blood vessels in the chest, such as the aorta and its branches, to detect aneurysms or other abnormalities that can lead to blockages or bleeding.
- Evaluation of the pleural cavity and the diaphragm, which can be helpful in diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as pleural effusions, pneumothorax (abnormal collection of air between lungs’ chest wall), and diaphragm hernias
- Detection of Lung infections, and determining the cause and severity of the infection
- To guide biopsies or other procedures in the chest
Preparation of MRI Chest
For an MRI Chest scan, there is no need for fasting. However, there may be a need to fast for 4-6 hours in the case of a contrast MRI. It is important to let your doctor know if you have any metal in your body, such as a pacemaker, aneurysm clip, or other implanted medical device. You may need to take special precautions or avoid the MRI scan altogether if you have certain types of metal in your body.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your MRI appointment. Avoid wearing clothes with metal zippers, buttons, or snaps, as these can interfere with the MRI machine. You may have to remove any jewelry, eyeglasses, and other metal objects before the scan.
It is important to remain still during the scan to avoid blurring the images. You may get earplugs or headphones to block out the MRI machine’s loud noises. Some people feel claustrophobic inside the MRI machine, so it may help to try deep breathing or other relaxation techniques to calm your nerves.
Procedure for MRI Chest
- The MRI machine will make loud noises during the scan, but earplugs or headphones will be provided to reduce the noise.
- The patient will lie on the MRI table and be positioned correctly for the scan.
- A coil, which is a device that helps improve image quality, will be placed around the chest area.
- The patient will be asked to hold their breath for short periods of time during the scan to avoid any movement that could blur the images.
- The scan typically takes around 20-30 minutes.
- After the scan, the patient can resume normal activities, and a radiologist will review the images.
- The results will be communicated to the patient’s referring physician, who will then discuss the findings with the patient.
Types of Chest MRI
Some of the most common types of MRI scans for the chest include:
Contrast-enhanced MRI: This MRI scan uses contrast agents to improve the visibility of certain structures on the scan. Injection of the contrast agents in the bloodstream can help highlight abnormalities in the chest.
Breast MRI: This type of MRI helps evaluate the breast tissue for any abnormalities or signs of breast cancer. It is often used along with a mammogram for women who have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Thoracic spine MRI: This type of MRI focuses on the thoracic spine, which is the section of the spine located in the chest. It is useful in diagnosing conditions such as herniated discs or spinal tumors
Lung MRI: This type of MRI specifically targets the lungs. It helps identify lung cancer, pneumonia, and other lung conditions.
Cardiac MRI: This MRI helps study the heart and blood vessels in the chest and diagnose conditions such as heart disease, heart attacks, and congenital heart defects.
Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced (DCE) MRI: This type of MRI uses contrast and helps evaluate the function of organs in the chest and the perfusion (blood flow) to the organs.
Benefits of MRI Chest
There are several benefits to using MRI for imaging the chest and heart, including the following:
High-resolution images: MRI provides high-resolution images of the chest allowing doctors to see detailed structures and tissue.
No radiation exposure: Unlike X-ray and CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI does not use ionizing radiation, which means there is no risk of radiation exposure to the patient.
Multiple imaging options: MRI allows doctors to use different imaging techniques, such as contrast-enhanced imaging and functional MRI, to get a better view of the structures and functions of the chest and heart.
Risks
MRI scans can be uncomfortable for some people, as they involve lying inside a narrow, tube-like machine. The MRI machine can also be loud, which can be unpleasant or even painful for people with sensitive hearing.
The contrast dyes used in MRI Chest scans can cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include rash, itching, hives, and difficulty breathing.
Limitations
There are some limitations of MRI scans. They cannot produce images of bone, so they may not be the best choice for examining injuries or conditions affecting the bones of the chest or heart. Also, MRI scans may not always be able to provide clear images of certain types of tissue, such as scar tissue or lymph nodes.
MRI Chest Result and Interpretation
Normal findings on an MRI chest may include:
- Clear lungs with no signs of inflammation or infection
- Normal size and shape of the heart and major blood vessels
- No abnormal masses or tumours present in the chest
- Normal size and shape of the diaphragm and pleural space
Abnormal findings on an MRI chest may include:
- Signs of inflammation or infection in the lungs such as fluid buildup or pneumonia
- Enlargement of the heart or blood vessels indicating heart disease or hypertension
- Presence of masses or tumours in the chest, such as lung cancer or lymphoma
- Abnormalities in the diaphragm or pleural space such as a pleural effusion or diaphragmatic hernia
- Abnormalities of the chest wall, such as scoliosis or pleural thickening
Sample Report For MRI Chest
Here is the sample report:
MRI Chest vs CT Chest
Comparison Basis | MRI Chest | CT Chest |
---|---|---|
Technology | Uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create images | Uses X-rays to create images |
Uses | Can provide detailed images of soft tissue structures, such as the lungs and heart | Can provide detailed images of both soft tissue and bony structures, such as the lungs, heart, and ribs |
Indications | Can be used to diagnose conditions such as lung cancer, heart disease, and pleural effusions and monitor the progression of sarcoidosis | Can be used to diagnose conditions such as lung cancer, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism and monitor the progression of diseases like emphysema |
Time Taken | Can take longer to complete and may require the patient to hold still for a longer period of time | Can be completed quickly and does not typically require the patient to hold still for long periods of time |
Contraindications | Not suitable for patients with metal implants or other metals in the body. Can be difficult to obtain images in patients with breathing problems or obesity | Not advised in pregnant patients since it uses ionizing radiation |
Read more about CT Chest here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, MRI Chest is a powerful diagnostic tool that can provide detailed and accurate images of the chest and lungs. It can be used to detect a wide range of conditions, including lung cancer, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. The procedure is generally well-tolerated, but patients with certain medical conditions or metal implants may not be able to undergo the scan. Also, it may not be able to provide all the information needed for specific conditions. Hence, it should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and CT scans, to provide a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s condition. Overall, It is a valuable tool for healthcare professionals and can greatly assist in the diagnosis and treatment of chest and lung conditions.
FAQs
Yes, it can be used to detect certain types of heart problems, such as damage to the heart muscle or abnormalities in the blood vessels that supply the heart. It helps diagnose conditions like cardiomyopathies, aortic aneurysms, congenital heart diseases, pericarditis, etc.
A doctor may order an MRI of the chest to evaluate various conditions that affect the heart and lungs, and the surrounding structures such as the blood vessels and the pleural cavity.
An MRI of the heart is generally considered safe. It is a non-invasive procedure that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the heart. There is no ionizing radiation (such as X-rays) involved, so there is no known risk of cancer from this procedure.
CT (computed tomography) is typically faster and better for detecting calcifications or hard objects such as plaque in the coronary artery, while MRI is better for evaluating the structure and function of the heart muscle and blood vessels, and for detecting certain types of heart disease.
A heart MRI typically takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. It’s also important to note that the procedure may take longer if the patient has difficulty lying still during the exam, or if the exam requires additional views or sequences.
The time it takes to receive results from a chest MRI can vary depending on the hospital or imaging center where the scan was performed and the complexity of the case. In general, receiving the results may take anywhere from a few days to a week or more.
How to Book MRI Chest?
Dr Garima Saroj
Dr Garima Saroj is a dentist from Manipal college of dental sciences. She has previously worked at ESIC dental college and hospital Delhi and Dentecare multispecialty dental clinic Gurugram. She has a passion for writing for patient education and awareness.