A car accident can leave you with painful and lasting injuries or medical conditions. Getting a proper diagnosis as soon as possible is your top priority. Fortunately, diagnostic imaging can help physicians and other medical professionals detect such injuries and come up with a proper treatment plan for you. Two types of diagnostic imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray, are common radiology services for car accident survivors.
MRI vs X-Ray
There are key differences between these two types of testing, and which you undergo depends largely on the nature of your injury and your physician’s choice. When considering an MRI vs. X-ray, there are many factors to think about.
MRI Scanning
Magnetic resonance imaging, more commonly referred to as MRI, is a medical imaging test that utilizes radio waves, strong magnets, and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Physicians often use this type of test to diagnose patients and to see how well they have responded to treatment. Unlike a computed tomography (CT) scan or X-ray, MRIs don’t involve ionizing radiation. Physicians can perform an MRI on various parts of the body, but it is especially useful for viewing the nervous system and soft tissues.
Medical professionals commonly use an MRI scanner to view or look for:
- Anomalies of the spinal cord and brain
- Abnormalities or injuries to the joints
- Diseases of the liver and other abdominal organs
- Cysts, tumors, and other types of anomalies in various parts of the body
- Signs of breast cancer in women and uterine anomalies
- Certain types of heart problems
If you have sustained an injury during a car accident, your physician may order an MRI scan to look for internal injuries.
X-Ray Imagery
X-rays use electromagnetic waves that can penetrate some materials. Imaging utilizing this type of radiation has the capability of showing medical professionals the inside of a patient’s body in shades of black and white. The images are black and white because various tissues absorb varying amounts of radiation. The calcium contained in bones means they absorb the most radiation, so they appear white on the X-ray film. The rays more easily penetrate soft tissues and fat, so those appear either gray or black.
Doctors typically use X-rays to check for broken bones (fractures), but they also have other medical purposes. Mammograms, which take advantage of X-rays, can identify early stages of breast cancer. Physicians can also look at X-rays of the chest to determine whether a person suffers from pneumonia or other respiratory illness.
When getting an X-ray, patients are usually required to protect the other parts of their body from the radiation by wearing a lead apron. However, the radiation during X-ray imaging is relatively small and roughly the amount you naturally receive over a 10-day period due to background exposure.
Getting an MRI After a Car Accident in Brooklyn, NY
In the wake of a car accident, it is a good idea to visit a physician as soon as possible. At your appointment, your doctor may require you to undergo a variety of tests, including imaging diagnostic tests. Although you may not feel such tests are necessary, it is important for your doctor to rule out certain types of internal injuries just to be on the safe side. Often, undergoing an MRI after a car accident can help prevent you from sustaining further injury or for an existing injury to worsen.
MRIs are useful for detecting severe internal injuries, especially those that impact the blood vessels, spinal cord, and brain. After a serious car accident, people may not immediately notice the signs of brain and spinal cord injuries. Ignoring such injuries can have tragic consequences, but by undergoing an MRI, you greatly increase your chances of catching any issues.
The Advantages of an Open MRI Machine
A standard MRI machine consists of a large tube with a single hole at both ends. A large magnet surrounds the tube, and the patient lays on a table that the machinery inserts inside the tube. In a short-bore system, the tube does not surround your entire body, only the part of the body it is scanning.
Here at Brooklyn Open MRI, we utilize an open MRI. Unlike standard MRI machines, open MRIs are open on all sides, so there is no need for the patient to enter the tube. Many patients find this type of configuration to be far more convenient and comfortable, especially for those who do not like confinement in tight spaces. In less than 30 minutes, patients can get an MRI while in a comfortable position.
MRI and Car Accident Injuries
It is common for drivers to sustain injuries in car accidents. Some car accident injuries are minor, while others are severe and can have a lasting impact on one’s life. MRI machines are excellent at detecting damage to the brain and spinal cord, two areas of the body frequently injured in car crashes. MRIs can often detect the following common car accident injuries:
- Concussion (MTBI)
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Herniated disc
- Aneurysms of cerebral vessels
- Soft tissue damage
- Broken bones
Car accident injuries are notorious for being easy to overlook, and unfortunately, when a physician ignores them, they often worsen over time. By undergoing an MRI scan, you can ensure you are healthy after an accident.
The First Step to Getting an X-Ray or MRI, Brooklyn, NY
If your physician orders an MRI, there is no need to worry. Since Brooklyn MRI utilizes an open MRI, you won’t have to lie in a tube for 30 minutes. MRI scans are relatively quick and when done properly, they can help you obtain the right diagnosis and treatment plan. A physician can then tailor a treatment plan to your injury as well as your personal needs and lifestyle. For many patients, an MRI is the first step to recovering from injury and enjoying life again.
Contact Brooklyn Open MRI
If you need an X-ray or MRI after a car accident, Brooklyn Open MRI offers the necessary diagnostic tools in a supportive and safe environment. Our clinic offers both types of diagnostic imaging, and our medical professionals are ready and willing to assist you. We accept workers’ compensation, no-fault, medical liens, and major medical plans. Whether you’re in Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, or the New York City area, contact us today to learn more about getting your first scheduled imaging test at our radiology department.