• How MRI Cheek Scan Works?

  An MRI Cheek Scan is a high-end magnetic resonance imaging process in which images of the intricate soft tissues within the cheek and its adjacent areas are taken. It is a totally non-invasive, harmless, and extremely high resolution process without any use of ionizing radiation. It involves the following process.

  1. Development of Magnetic Field

  An MRI provides an extremely strong magnetic field. This strong magnetic field aligns hydrogen atoms in your body mostly in the molecular state of water. Since every human body is full of water, the movement of hydrogen atoms can easily be detected by the MRI.

  2. Radio Frequency Pulses

  Once the hydrogen atoms align in the magnetic field, an MRI machine transmits radiofrequency pulses to the body. This briefly disaligns the hydrogen atoms from the magnetic field. As the radiofrequency pulse ceases, the hydrogen atoms restore to their previous alignment to the magnetic field.

  3. Signal Detection

  With the hydrogen atoms returning to alignment, they release energy in the form of radio waves. It is the radio waves from these which are caught by sensors of the MRI machine. The amount of time for the hydrogen atoms to get back in alignment and frequency of the energy released from them is dependent on tissue type.

  4. Reconstruction of Highly Detailed Images

  The radio waves emitted by the MRI machine are then translated into clear images of structures within the cheek. Due to the differences in their responses and properties towards the magnetic field, different tissues like muscles, fat, glands, and nerves, could be differentiated, allowing high-resolution images.

  5. Contrast Agent- if it is needed

  Contrast agents, sometimes referred to as dyes, can be injected into the patient’s bloodstream to make the images clearer. The agent will highlight structures like blood vessels or inflamed tissues; this makes it easier to detect problems like tumors, infections, or vascular malformations. The contrast agent helps produce clearer and more detailed images of the soft tissues in the cheek.

  6. No Radiation

  Unlike X-rays or CT scans, MRI does not apply any ionizing radiation. This has made it safer for assessment of soft tissues, most especially for those patients that might need to undergo repetition imaging.

  7. Imaging Review and Diagnosis

  Once the images are taken, they are forwarded to a radiologist for further analysis. This radiologist will look for any abnormalities like lumps, cysts, infections, or tumors and forward their results to your doctor to further interpret and diagnose it.

  Indications for MRI Cheek Scan

  An MRI Cheek Scan is usually ordered to diagnose and evaluate many conditions that involve the cheek, salivary glands, and other soft tissues of the face. Some of the common indications for an MRI Cheek Scan are as follows:

  1. Facial Pain or Swelling

  Some of the causes of cheek swelling or unexplained facial pain are infection, inflammation, or an abscess. The diagnosis and guidance in the management of such symptoms can be done with MRI.

  2. Tumors or Swelling

  Most of the patients with a tumor or swelling in the cheek or about the face undergo MRI scanning for diagnosis and assessment. It may be a benign mass like a fibroma or a malignant tumor like salivary gland malignancy or lymphoma.

  Other information that may be known is size, location, nature of the tumor, and whether it involves the adjacent structures.

  3. Disorders of Salivary Glands

  MRI is quite beneficial for assessing diseases affecting the salivary glands. These include infections, stones (sialolithiasis), inflammation, or blockage. MRI can clearly image the parotid and submandibular glands .

  It helps in assessing glandular enlargement, ductal changes, and other abnormalities.

  4. Facial Nerve Disorders

  An MRI of the cheek can be helpful in diagnosing facial nerve disorders, like Bell’s palsy or trigeminal neuralgia. MRI shows the pathways of the nerves and helps identify the causes of nerve damage or compression.

  5. Infections or Abscesses

  For deep facial infections or abscesses in the cheek or surrounding structures, MRI can help determine the extent of the infection, guide the drainage procedure, and rule out other potential complications such as cellulitis or osteomyelitis.

  6. Trauma or Injury

  MRI aids in evaluating soft tissue injuries following a facial trauma or injury. It can sometimes have tears of the muscles, nerve damage, or even bleeding in the cheek and jaw and facial muscles. It is pretty significant to consider it when dealing with fracture or soft tissue injuries post-trauma.

  7. Cysts or Abscesses

  MRI is very useful to visualize cysts such as dermoid cysts or an abscess in the cheek close to the salivary glands. It helps in getting a better estimate of its size and composition and planning treatment.

  Benefits of MRI Cheek Scan

  There are several significant advantages of having an MRI Cheek Scan while diagnosing and evaluating cheek and surrounding soft tissues and structures of the face. Key benefits include:

  1. Non-Invasive and Safe

  MRI is a non-invasive process, meaning it is not surgical and does not involve the penetration of any instruments into the body. It is also risk-free, since it uses no ionizing radiation compared to other imaging techniques that include X-rays or CT scans.

  2. High-Resolution Images

  MRI of soft tissues provides high resolution images of muscles, nerves, and glands in the cheek. Their imaging will be possible in the cheek region which otherwise cannot be evaluated accurately by any other available technique.

  3. Accurate Diagnosis

  An MRI cheek scan allows a doctor to identify very accurate conditions, such as tumors, cysts, infections and disorders of the salivary glands. It offers information in high resolution that helps distinguish among several types of tissue or abnormalities, making the treatment highly efficient.

  4. Soft Tissue Evaluation

  Unlike X-rays or CT scans, this modality is very strong in soft tissue visualization and particularly useful in muscles, nerves, and glands of the cheek. This helps a great deal in conditions where the lesions are mostly due to changes of soft tissues like inflammation and swelling and abscess.

  5. No radiation Exposure

  The most important benefit of MRI over CT scans and X-rays is that it does not use ionizing radiation. This minimizes its dangers in repeated scanning, particularly on children or those patients who will likely be scanned frequently.

  6. Detection of Tumors and Cysts

  MRI is highly effective in identifying benign and malignant tumors within the cheek. It also identifies cysts, such as salivary gland cysts, and gives more detailed information regarding their size, location, and nature, which would be important in planning treatment or surgery.

  7. Detailed Nerve Visualization

  MRI is an excellent modality for visualizing facial nerves and therefore an important step in cases of facial paralysis-for example, Bell’s palsy-or a nerve compression disorder diagnosis and evaluation. In such instances, with MRI, the physician will be in a position to assess such nerves’ integrity and consequently what may have led to its dysfunction.

• Test Type: MRI Cheek Scan
• Preparation:
• Wear a loose-fitting cloth
• Fasting not required
• Carry Your ID Proof
• Prescription is mandatory for patients with a doctor’s sign, stamp, with DMC/HMC number; as per PC-PNDT Act
• Reports Time: With in 4-6 hours
• Test Price: Rs.4000

How to book an appointment for a MRI Cheek Scan?

To schedule an appointment for MRI Cheek Scan, simply contact Medifyhome or call our customer care at +919100907036 or +919100907622 for more details and queries.

What is an MRI Cheek Scan?

An MRI Cheek Scan is a non-invasive form of diagnosis using the powers of a magnetic field and radio waves to produce very precise images of soft tissues surrounding the cheek. The muscles, salivary glands, nerves, and blood vessels are evaluated by such imaging for a diagnostic evaluation around the cheek and jaw.

When am I likely to need an MRI Cheek Scan?

This scan is usually recommended when you have pain, swelling, or lumps in your cheek or when your doctor suspects you have conditions such as tumors, infections, salivary gland disorders, or nerve damage. It is used to assess facial abnormalities after an injury or trauma.

Is an MRI Cheek Scan painful?

No, an MRI Cheek Scan is painless. You only have to lie in the machine while it is taking your images. Some patients may feel discomfort due to having to lie still for so long but there is no pain during the actual procedure.

Do I need preparation for an MRI Cheek Scan?

Most patients do not need to prepare. However, if contrast dye is needed to improve the pictures, you may be told not to eat or drink for a few hours prior to the test. Always let your healthcare provider know about any metal implants or devices, like pacemakers, because MRI uses strong magnetic fields.

Is there a risk involved with an MRI Cheek Scan?

MRI scans are considered to be very safe. In comparison to X-rays and CT scans, MRI does not employ the use of ionizing radiation; hence it is a much safer option. On the other hand, if contrast dye is used, then there is a small risk of allergic reactions. Patients who have metal implants or pacemakers may have to undergo another procedure since MRI employs a magnetic field.

How long does the MRI Cheek Scan take?

The procedure usually takes between 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the complexity of the images required. You will be asked to hold still while the MRI machine takes images from different angles during this time.

Can I eat or drink before my MRI Cheek Scan?

You may eat and drink normally unless you have been told otherwise. If you are getting contrast, you will be asked to fast for a few hours before your test to allow for the best views.

What do I need to know about preparation for the MRI Cheek Scan?

During the scan, you have to lie on a table that’s going to move into the MRI. The procedure is silent, except you may hear a ticking or knocking noise from the machine taking images inside your body. You will need to freeze as much as possible so that you get images of good quality. The test itself is painless. You can communicate with your technician during the test.