How We Do MRI Reporting Remotely?
This section provides the step by step working flow of MRI Reporting:
Collection of Clinical Data and Referral
The consulting physician examines the patient history and clinical symptoms to roughly point to a diagnosis. Based on this data, they will refer the patient for a suitable imaging modality (in this case, it is MRI)
The initial clinical screening is a very important step as these findings would be one of the key factors to determine the possible disease.
Patient Screening & Safety Checks
Before the MRI scan is performed, thorough safety checks are performed, which are highly crucial. These checks include detection for objects like pacemakers for the heart, cochlear ear implants, certain ferromagnetic metal implants, or metal bits from other sources inside the body.
Apart from these, a kidney screening is performed if required.
Next, the patient is informed about the procedure, and proper consent protocols are followed. Explaining the imaging process and consent procedures helps the patient stay calm during the process.
Performing the MRI
After the safety screenings and consent procedures are completed, a technician performs the MRI imaging while following proper protocols. The protocols are standardized and adapted according to case-based requirements such as imaging planes, slice thickness, and whether contrast enhancement is required.
Such personalization guarantees that the images obtained have the best quality, which is important to identify minute abnormalities.
Image Transfer & Data Archiving
After the MRI procedures are completed, technicians can then access high-resolution images.
These images are then uploaded to the institution’s PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), where patients' details alongside their images are also stored.
Case Allocation to Radiologist
After the successful retrieval and storage of the images, the case is allocated to a suitable radiological specialist.
These radiologists might have special training in areas like neuroradiology, musculoskeletal, heart or abdomen systems imaging. Images can also be transferred to a radiologist working remotely, via teleradiology.
Image Review and Diagnosis
This is the stage of MRI reporting- where the radiologist examines the images thoroughly to put forth a diagnosis.
These images are complemented with the patient history and clinical findings to determine the etiology.
If available, previous images are reviewed along with clinical history.
Report Preparation
After the complication is accurately determined, the findings are converted into a report. Generally, for MRI reporting, there are standardized report formats in place.
In case the patient is categorized under the emergency/STAT category, the findings are first communicated electronically or verbally before the report generation. After the necessary information is transferred, the finalized report is made by the radiologist.
