Typical indications

• High-resolution imaging of joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscle structures
• High-resolution image of the spine

The Radiology Practice Baden-Baden is an accredited center of excellence for musculoskeletal imaging by the German Radiological Society. One of the practice's main areas of focus is therefore musculoskeletal imaging for the diagnosis of acute and chronic diseases and injuries of the entire musculoskeletal system in adults and children. Cartilage is of central importance for joint integrity. Here, ultra-high-resolution MRI provides unparalleled imaging, even in the early stages of cartilage degeneration. Tendons, ligaments, and intervertebral disc injuries, as well as early forms of bone injuries and circulatory problems, can be optimally visualized. An accurate diagnosis is the basis for early and efficient treatment. The practice has particular expertise in the field of rheumatological imaging and provides services to one of the largest rheumatology clinics in Germany (ACURA Clinic Baden-Baden).

The procedure does not involve any X-rays.

Typical indications

• Stroke diagnostics, vascular diagnostics
• tumor diagnostics
• Inflammation diagnostics (e.g., multiple sclerosis)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the skull is a radiological examination procedure used to produce precise images of the brain and its adjacent structures.

The procedure does not require X-rays.

Typical indications

• Unclear abdominal pain, tumor exclusion
• Liver mass
• space-occupying lesion in the abdomen
• Imaging of the bile ducts without contrast medium (MRCP – magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)
• Representation of the urinary tract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen/liver is a radiological examination procedure used to visualize the structures in the abdominal area and liver with the aid of a magnetic field.

The procedure does not require X-rays.

Typical indications

• Especially prostate cancer

Multiparametric MRI of the prostate is performed in close cooperation with our colleagues in private practice, especially urologists, and can complement their examinations. Examination of the prostate using MRI is a modern diagnostic procedure in the fight against prostate cancer. The procedure combines several advantages: the organ to be examined can be broken down into different tissue layers for imaging. In addition to anatomical imaging, modern multiparametric MRI procedures according to PI-RADS 2.1 (Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System) also use functional MRI procedures for decision-making. It is important to find the most aggressive tumor (index lesion), as this is decisive for therapy. In many cases, prostate MRI according to PI-RADS can do this. In many cases, this allows colleagues in urology to perform a planned biopsy in a more targeted manner. According to the current state of knowledge, MR prostate examination according to PI-RADS offers the best chance of visualizing prostate cancer. This is often successful, but not always. The Radiology Practice Baden-Baden has many years of expertise in the field of MR prostate imaging.

The procedure does not involve X-rays. Please clarify in advance whether your health insurance will cover the costs of the examination, or at least part of them.

Who is this examination particularly suitable for?

• For men who, after being diagnosed with elevated PSA levels, have had a tissue sample (punch biopsy) taken that showed benign results, but whose PSA levels continue to rise (prostate MRI before 2nd punch biopsy)
• For men who have already been histologically diagnosed with prostate cancer, as an additional aid in making the upcoming therapeutic decision (e.g., surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, etc.).
• If the PSA level rises again after surgical removal of the prostate – question: local recurrence? Lymph node enlargement in the pelvic area? Many radiation therapy institutions prefer this cross-sectional imaging technique for radiation therapy.

Typical indications

• Especially breast cancer, secondary cancer

For some women, MRI examination of the female breast can be used not only as a supplement to, but also as an alternative to X-ray mammography. It can help to clarify certain issues that may have remained unresolved during mammography and other examination procedures of the female breast. The examination should only be performed between the 6th and 12th day after the first day of the menstrual period. In the second half of the cycle, the mammary gland tissue changes due to the increasing influence of progesterone. As a result, healthy glandular tissue also absorbs contrast medium and can no longer be reliably distinguished from diseased tissue.

MR mammography is used, for example, to examine breast cancer patients in detail before surgery. MR mammography is also used in the follow-up care of patients who have already undergone breast surgery or who have breast implants. This procedure complements conventional X-ray mammography, especially in women with dense tissue structures.

MR mammography is highly sensitive in detecting invasive breast tumors. However, magnetic resonance imaging alone cannot always distinguish between benign and malignant tumors or detect precancerous breast cancer (carcinoma in situ). MR mammography examinations are performed in close cooperation with our colleagues in private practice, especially gynecologists, and can complement their examinations.

Who is this examination suitable for?

• For women who have been diagnosed with changes in their breast tissue (such as a palpable lump or abnormalities detected during an X-ray or ultrasound examination): Breast MRI can also provide information about whether changes in the breast are benign or malignant when the usual early detection examinations such as mammography (X-ray) and ultrasound do not provide a reliable assessment.
• For patients with breast cancer as a preoperative examination to rule out further cancerous lesions and plan the surgical procedure. If chemotherapy is necessary prior to surgery, its course and effectiveness can be monitored.
• For breast cancer patients undergoing tumor follow-up care, to rule out scar recurrence (renewed tumor formation at the scar) with greater certainty.
• For women with breast implants (e.g., silicone): Implants can interfere with conventional mammography diagnostics (the implant covers large parts of the glandular tissue). In addition, the position and integrity of the implants can be checked.
• For patients who, for certain reasons, cannot or do not wish to undergo breast cancer screening with X-ray mammography: for example, young women with a family history of breast cancer who require regular early detection examinations from the age of 30.

The procedure does not involve X-rays. Please clarify in advance whether your health insurance will cover the costs of the examination, or at least part of them.

Typical indications

• Chronic inflammatory bowel disease Mass in the liver
• Unclear diarrhea, abdominal pain

The MR Sellink examination is performed in close cooperation with our colleagues in private practice, especially gastroenterologists, and can complement their ultrasound examinations and gastrointestinal examinations. Magnetic resonance imaging now allows for a comprehensive view of the small intestine. MRI thus offers an alternative to conventional small intestine examination according to Sellink (enteroclysis). The MR Sellink does not require a small intestine probe; the contrast agent is simply drunk.

MRI can be used to visualize not only changes in the interior of the intestine, but also thickening or inflammation of the intestinal wall and surrounding area. The examination is particularly suitable for determining the extent and spread of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

The procedure does not require X-rays.

Typical indications

• head vessels
• neck vessels
• Upper thoracic aperture / arms
• Aortic arch and supra-aortic branches
• thoracic aorta
• abdominal aorta
• Pelvis/Legs/Feet

MR angiography allows blood vessels to be examined without invasive procedures. Using MRI, we create a three-dimensional model of the vessels. This allows us to determine whether everything is "running smoothly." It can detect narrowings and tissue weaknesses (aneurysms) that could cause circulatory disorders, strokes, or bleeding.

The advantage of MR angiography over conventional X-ray angiography (DSA): 

MR angiography is performed in close cooperation with our colleagues in private practice, particularly vascular specialists (angiologists), and can complement their ultrasound examinations. The standard examination to date has been X-ray angiography. This involves inserting a thin tube (catheter) into the artery via the groin. While X-ray contrast medium is injected through the catheter at high pressure, X-ray images are taken, which then show the vessel filled with contrast medium.

With MR angiography, it is no longer necessary to insert a catheter into the artery from the groin, as was previously the case. This also eliminates the need for a four-hour semi-inpatient stay. With MR angiography, only a contrast agent is injected into your vein. X-rays are not required.

Advantages of MR vascular imaging

• With MR angiography, there is no need to insert a catheter into the femoral artery. The contrast agent is only injected into the arm vein.
• The examination can be performed quickly and without semi-inpatient admission.
• There are no problems with blood clotting disorders or secondary bleeding.
• The contrast agent used in MR angiography does not contain iodine and can also be used in cases of hyperthyroidism.

The procedure does not require X-rays.

Typical indications

• Depiction of the entire body
• tumor diagnostics
• Vascular diagnostics of the entire body

Whole-body MRI allows us to visualize the entire body, i.e., all organs, the skeletal system, the spine, the vascular system, and the joints. The examination does not replace a specific partial body/joint or organ examination. The examination can be used for the early detection of certain types of cancer. Depending on age and genetic or individual predisposition, other issues, such as possible narrowing of blood vessels, can also be clarified. Whole-body MRI does not replace gastro- and colonoscopies. Please clarify in advance whether your health insurance will cover the costs of the examination, or at least part of them.

The procedure does not involve X-rays. Please clarify in advance whether your health insurance will cover the costs of the examination, or at least part of them.

• MR pancreas including MRCP (biliary tract imaging)
• MR kidneys including MR urography
• MR testicles
• MR neck/thyroid gland
• MR chest
• etc.