Can MRI detect COVID infection in lungs?

  • Context: COVID 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Wrichik Basu
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Covid Infection Mri
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

MRI technology, based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), presents a potential alternative to CT scans for detecting COVID-19 infections in the lungs. During the pandemic, false negatives from RT-PCR tests have led to increased reliance on CT scans, which the Director of AIIMS criticized for their misuse and associated long-term cancer risks. MRI, while more expensive than CT, may offer a safer option with fewer long-term side effects. Further research is necessary to establish MRI's efficacy in this context.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of COVID-19 diagnostic methods, including RT-PCR and CT scans.
  • Familiarity with MRI technology and its applications in medical imaging.
  • Knowledge of the risks associated with radiation exposure from CT scans.
  • Awareness of the implications of false negative test results in infectious disease diagnosis.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effectiveness of MRI in detecting lung infections, specifically COVID-19.
  • Explore the differences between CT scans and MRI in terms of safety and diagnostic accuracy.
  • Investigate the long-term health implications of repeated CT scans versus MRI.
  • Review current studies on the use of MRI for respiratory infections and their outcomes.
USEFUL FOR

Healthcare professionals, radiologists, researchers in medical imaging, and anyone involved in COVID-19 diagnostics and treatment strategies.

Wrichik Basu
Science Advisor
Insights Author
Gold Member
Messages
2,180
Reaction score
2,690
During this second wave of pandemic in our country, there have been several cases where the RT-PCR test is yielding false negatives. Many patients are being advised CT scans by doctors if the RT-PCR is negative, but the patient still shows symptoms of COVID. In many cases, this has given good results - doctors have found that the patient's lungs are completely covered by white patches, which are indicative of the virus residing and multiplying there.

Yesterday, the Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said, as per a news article, that CT is being "misused" during this period, adding that one CT is equivalent to 300-400 chest X-rays, and in younger people, too many CT scans throughout their lives may lead to cancer in later life.

Fine, I understand that. On the other hand, MRI, which uses an entirely different technology based on NMR, probably has lesser long-term side effects.

Can MRI be used to detect COVID infection in the lungs instead of CT or simple chest X-ray?
 
Biology news on Phys.org

Similar threads

COVID Lingering effects of a COVID infection: Post COVID Syndrome
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
COVID "High" dose of steroids in mild infection may lead to viral pneumonia?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
COVID Covid Long Haulers: Statistics Show Potential for Serious Health Issue
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
10K
Oral molnupiravir phase II-a of Covid RCT by Merck
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Understanding SARS-Cov-2, Effects of Covid-19 and the Future
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Can a COVID vaccine cause a cancer (e.g., lymphoma) to be worse?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Medical X-ray, CT scan, Ultrasound, MRI detecting blanks ?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K
Medical FDA antidepressant warnings of suicide risk among kids may have the opposite effect
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K