Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Of The Head: Why It Is Done

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Why It Is Done

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head is done to:

• Look for the cause of headaches.
• Help diagnose a stroke or blood vessel problems in the head. Problems with blood vessels may include an aneurysm or abnormal twisted blood vessels that are present at birth (this is called an arteriovenous [AV] malformation).
• Check blood flow or blood clots to the brain. MRI can show bleeding in or around the brain.
• Check symptoms of a known or suspected head injury.
• Check symptoms such as change in consciousness, confusion, or abnormal movements. These symptoms may be caused by brain diseases, such as Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease. See an MRI showing MS in the brain .
• Check for "water on the brain" (hydrocephaly).
• Look for tumors, infections, an abscess, or conditions of the brain or brain stem, such as encephalitis or meningitis.
• Check the eyes, the nerves from the eyes to the brain (optic nerves), the ears, and the nerves from the ears to the brain (auditory nerves).
• Look for problems of the pituitary gland.
• Investigate or follow a finding seen on another test.

Last updated:	January 19, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology, Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer