Magnetic resonance imaging of the hand
Hand MRI in Casablanca
Hand MRI examines, without X-rays, the bones, the finger joints, the flexor and extensor tendons, the ligaments and the soft tissues. It can help clarify the nature of a lump, assess a tendon or ligament injury of a finger, or look for joint inflammation at the onset of a rheumatic disease.
Duration, report and equipment
Duration
A hand MRI usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, a little longer when an injection is given.
Report turnaround
Report within 48 hours. In an emergency, during opening hours, the report is handed over immediately.
Equipment
GE SIGNA Prime 1.5 T
When is this exam needed?
- Small mass on a finger or in the palm, such as a cyst or a tumor of a tendon sheath.
- Sharp pain under a nail, made worse by cold, which may suggest a glomus tumor (a small benign tumor).
- Severe thumb sprain, to check the ulnar collateral ligament (an injury known as skier's thumb).
- Injury to a finger tendon, or to a pulley in climbers.
- Stiffness and swelling of several fingers suggesting polyarthritis, to look for synovitis (inflammation of the joint lining).
- Suspected infection of a bone or joint of the hand.
How the exam is done
The radiographer goes over the safety questions again, then you remove rings, wedding band, watch and bracelets. Your hand is placed flat in a dedicated coil, often palm down, with the fingers straight and supported. Depending on the area and the machine, you lie on your back with your hand near your hip, or on your stomach with your arm stretched above your head. For a single finger, a small marker may be stuck on the skin over the painful area.
The image acquisitions are noisy, hence the headphones. Your fingers must remain perfectly still: do not tap them or clench your hand. Any injection is given into a vein in the other arm, during the exam.
Preparation
- If your fingers are swollen, try to take off your rings as soon as possible, because they will have to be removed for the exam.
- Before the exam, locate the exact spot of the lump or pain, so you can show it to the radiographer.
- Wear clothing with no metal; a gown can be provided on site.
Fasting
No fasting is needed, even if an injection is planned.
Contrast injection
A gadolinium injection is often useful to characterize a mass or to look for joint inflammation. It is given with a small needle into a vein in the other arm.
Contraindications and precautions
- Defibrillator or pacemaker: the exam depends on the MRI compatibility of the implanted device.
- Neurostimulator, cochlear implant, implanted pump or old-type vascular clip.
- Metal fragment in the body or eye, more common after metalwork.
- Pins or screws in the hand: tell us so that their compatibility can be checked.
- Insulin pump or glucose sensor (such as FreeStyle Libre): to be removed before the exam. Bring what you need to replace it or put it back afterwards.
- Current or possible pregnancy: please tell us. MRI is performed only if it is necessary, preferably after the first trimester, and without gadolinium unless absolutely necessary.
- Breastfeeding: please tell us. It is generally not necessary to stop breastfeeding after a gadolinium injection.
- Severely impaired kidney function, tattoos, permanent makeup or fear of enclosed spaces.
Documents to bring
- Prescription stating the hand and, if possible, the finger concerned.
- Hand X-rays and ultrasound already performed.
- Recent blood tests if a rheumatic disease is suspected, and a kidney function test if an injection is planned.
- List of your current medications.
- Insurance or mutual insurance fund card.
Price and insurance coverage
The price of hand MRI varies depending on the side and area studied (one finger or the whole hand) and on the gadolinium injection, which is often useful for a mass or inflammation.
The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. You submit the coverage request to your insurer or fund yourself. For AtlantaSanad and Sanlam, the center takes care of it.
No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Why an MRI for a simple lump on a finger?
Lumps in the hand are most often benign, such as cysts or tendon sheath tumors. MRI clarifies their size, their content and their relationship with the tendons, nerves and blood vessels, which helps the surgeon choose between monitoring and surgery.
Isn't an ultrasound enough?
Ultrasound is often the first exam for tendons and small masses of the hand: it is quick and shows the tendons in motion. MRI complements it when a wider view is needed, for example for the bone, the extent of a lesion or involvement of several joints.
Can MRI detect early polyarthritis?
It can show signs of inflammation of the joint lining or the tendons, as well as early bone erosions, sometimes before they are visible on X-rays. However, the diagnosis of polyarthritis is based on the whole medical file: examination by the rheumatologist, blood tests and imaging.
Will I have to keep my arm above my head?
Not always. Depending on the machine and the area to be examined, you may stay lying on your back with your hand close to your body. If the arm-raised position is needed and your shoulder is painful, say so: the team will look for a more comfortable setup.
Hand MRI in Casablanca: how much does it cost?
The price of hand MRI varies depending on the side and area studied (one finger or the whole hand) and on the gadolinium injection, which is often useful for a mass or inflammation. The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.