The thyroid gland consists of two symmetrical lobes located in the front of a person’s neck. This body is mainly responsible for the production of various kinds of hormones. He also takes a direct part in the metabolism. So, during the period of human growth, the thyroid gland produces the most important hormones in order for this process to proceed normally and all organs to develop correctly. 

Thyroid MRI concept

The first step is to say that MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is one of the ways to diagnose with the help of rays. In this case, there is the possibility of both a three-dimensional and a layer-by-layer image of the investigated part of the human body, and in this case the thyroid gland. We can safely say that this method is the most accurate for today, and at the same time the picture is obtained as contrasting as possible. So, thanks to an MRI scan, you can accurately find out the size of the formations, consider their contours, determine if there is a capsule, and see if there are growth formations in the tissue.

Benefits of having an MRI of the thyroid gland

Now I would like to talk about what advantages we get when carrying out this type of thyroid tomography compared to other diagnostic methods. In particular, these are:

• there is no need for the use of contrast agents when examining the level of compression of adjacent organs with an enlarged thyroid gland;
•  MRI provides a three-dimensional image when needed;
• you can also diagnose triiodine-negative metastases in thyroid cancer;
• excludes the possibility of radiation exposure.

But these advantages still have not made MRI a routine method for examining the thyroid gland, and a number of factors contribute to this, namely:

•  since the thyroid gland is still a superficial organ, it can be examined with palpation, and as an additional measure, in addition to this, tests are prescribed and the patient is sent for an ultrasound scan.
•  the cost of such a diagnosis is much higher for the same ultrasound, but according to the data provided on this body, they are almost equal.
• MRI cannot clearly distinguish between benign and malignant neoplasms.

It is also important to emphasize that this procedure can be very uncomfortable for patients, even though it is quite safe. So the investigated person should be in a closed tube for almost half an hour and the tomograph works extremely loudly. The doctor may prescribe such a diagnosis when:

• the patient has a sternal goiter;
• need more accurate information about the correct location of the cervical organs, especially before the appointment of surgical treatment of goiter;
•  excludes the possibility of thyroid scintography due to thyrostatic therapy;

Contraindications

So, this method of examining the thyroid gland is excluded with any metal bodies in the human body, especially if it is located in the skull. Also, such tomography is contraindicated:

•  pregnant women
•  in the presence of claustrophobia;
•  when the possibility of being in the same position for some time is excluded;
• with drug or alcohol intoxication.

Naturally, there may be both absolute and relative contraindications, because the expediency of the procedure can be decided in a particular situation. However, to date, MRI of the thyroid gland is one of the most accurate and complete methods for examining this organ.