An MRI scan provides highly detailed pictures of the body’s internal structures, offering physicians a powerful diagnostic tool. Patients often receive a digital copy of these images on a CD, DVD, or USB drive following their procedure. While the urge to view the results firsthand is strong, the images are only one part of the complete medical picture. Viewing the images is possible, but interpreting them without professional training is a significant challenge due to the technical nature of the files and the complexity of the images.
Understanding the Digital Image File Contents
The files on the disc are not standard image formats like JPEG or PNG, but instead adhere to a global medical standard called DICOM, which stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. This format is designed specifically for storing, viewing, and sharing medical images and their associated patient data. Because of this specialized structure, common picture viewers on your computer, such as Windows Photos or Mac Preview, are unable to open the files, often leading to confusion for the patient.
The files contain not just a single picture, but a sequence of hundreds or even thousands of individual image slices taken from various angles and sequences. Each of these slices contributes to a complete three-dimensional representation of the scanned anatomy. The complexity of the DICOM standard ensures interoperability between different medical devices, but it requires specialized software to properly read and display the image data and the extensive metadata contained within each file.
Practical Steps for Viewing the Images
The medical imaging facility typically includes a simple, proprietary DICOM viewer application on the CD or USB drive, in addition to the raw image files. This viewer is usually designed to launch automatically when the disc is inserted, particularly on Windows computers. If the program does not auto-start, manually navigate the disc’s contents and look for an executable file, often named “Viewer.exe” or “Autorun.exe,” to start the software.
This bundled viewer is the easiest way to access the images and allows you to scroll through the different image slices and viewing planes. If the included software fails to run, perhaps due to operating system incompatibility, you can seek out free, third-party DICOM viewing applications. Options like MicroDicom for Windows or Horos for Mac can be downloaded and installed to open the files. Once a compatible viewer is running, it will usually prompt you to import the study from the disc, loading the entire image series for review.
Why Interpretation Requires Professional Expertise
Successfully viewing the images is only the first step, as interpreting an MRI scan requires clinical training. Radiologists spend years learning to distinguish between subtle variations in contrast, which represent different tissues, fluids, and potential abnormalities. For example, a bright spot on one sequence (T2-weighted) might signify fluid or inflammation, while a dark spot on another (T1-weighted) could point toward a different type of tissue.
The human eye is not trained to differentiate between a normal anatomical variation, an imaging artifact caused by the scanner, or a true pathology. Attempting to self-diagnose from the raw images can lead to unnecessary anxiety. Features that appear concerning to a layperson, such as a “flow void” in a blood vessel, are often normal findings. The images are a sophisticated tool, and their value lies in the hands of the specialist who integrates the visual data with your clinical history and symptoms.
The Importance of the Radiologist’s Report
The definitive source of information regarding your MRI scan is the written report prepared by the radiologist, not the collection of images. This report is the official diagnosis and interpretation, translated from complex visual data into a structured clinical document. It typically includes sections detailing the technique used, a comparison with prior studies, a description of the findings, and the “Impression,” which is the radiologist’s summarized conclusion.
This official report is the document your referring physician relies on to determine the correct course of treatment. While waiting for your follow-up appointment, focus on reviewing the Impression section of the report, if available, rather than trying to decipher the raw images. You can prepare questions for your doctor based on any terms or findings mentioned in the report, ensuring a focused and productive discussion about your health and next steps.