What are serious MRI results?

Asked by: Zita Labadie  |  Last update: March 12, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (50 votes)

Serious MRI results often involve findings like tumors, significant bleeding (hemorrhage), severe inflammation (infection, autoimmune issues), stroke signs, or major structural damage (aneurysms, severe spinal disc herniations) that directly explain symptoms or pose immediate health risks, though many abnormal findings, like small cysts or age-related changes (e.g., white matter spots, atrophy), are often benign and require context from your doctor. A radiologist's report flags abnormalities, but only a healthcare provider can interpret them in light of your symptoms to determine if they are serious or incidental.

What if MRI results are serious?

If a serious condition is found, a treatment plan will be made with specialists. It's key for patients to talk to their doctors about MRI results. This way, they can understand what the findings mean and what to do next. This teamwork helps ensure patients get the best care for their situation.

When to worry about MRI?

Here are some examples of urgent MRI findings: Problems in the brain, such as bleeding, evidence of a stroke or an aneurysm, or brain damage. Tumours, including cancerous tumours. Spinal problems, such as injury or disease.

What do abnormal MRI results mean?

This could be a variety of things, such as growths that might be tumors, areas of inflammation suggesting an infection or an autoimmune disease, or alterations in tissue structure hinting at degenerative conditions like arthritis or multiple sclerosis. But an abnormal result doesn't automatically mean you should worry.

Can MRI cause ear pain?

Yes, an MRI can cause ear pain, usually temporary, due to the extremely loud knocking and buzzing noises it produces, which can lead to discomfort, fullness, ringing (tinnitus), and even temporary hearing changes, especially if proper ear protection isn't used effectively. While usually manageable with earplugs or headphones, rare cases of more persistent issues have been reported, highlighting the importance of communicating discomfort to the technician.
 

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Does MRI have any bad side effects?

Summary: Side Effects of MRI

While generally safe and well-tolerated, some patients might experience mild side effects, such as discomfort from lying still or temporary anxiety, particularly in confined spaces. Loud noises during the scan may also cause minor sensory disturbances.

What is the most common cause of sudden hearing loss?

The most common cause of sudden hearing loss (Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, or SSHL) is often viral infections, such as those causing upper respiratory tract infections, leading to inflammation or swelling in the inner ear or hearing nerve, though it's frequently idiopathic (unknown origin). Other causes include head trauma, autoimmune issues, certain medications, circulation problems, or, rarely, tumors like acoustic neuromas, but viruses are the leading identifiable culprit in many cases. 

What's the next step after an abnormal MRI?

In order to get all the answers you need about next steps, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can evaluate the results and talk to you about whether you need further testing or if you can proceed to a treatment plan based on the diagnosis they make.

Can MRI show diseases?

A brain MRI can help your doctor to diagnose a variety of medical conditions, evaluate or rule out aneurysms of cerebral vessels, multiple sclerosis, tumours, conditions within the orbits (eye cavity) or inner ear, stroke, brain injury/ trauma as well as spinal cord disorders.

What does a tumor look like on a MRI scan?

Cancerous tissue can show up on MRI images as a white or very light mass, whereas it would be dark in colour on an ultrasound image. Contrast dye, which is a substance injected into the body before some MRI scans, enables the cancer to present more brightly on MRI scan images.

What is a major health concern with MRI?

The magnetic fields that change with time create loud knocking noises which may harm hearing if adequate ear protection is not used. They may also cause peripheral muscle or nerve stimulation that may feel like a twitching sensation. The radiofrequency energy used during the MRI scan could lead to heating of the body.

What are the red flags for MRI?

Red flags that may warrant an MRI include:

Severe or progressive neurological symptoms (numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder/bowel control) Fever combined with back pain (possible infection) A history of cancer with new back pain. Significant trauma or recent accident.

Why would a neurologist send you for an MRI?

More specifically, a brain or head MRI can show if there are any abnormalities in your brain or the surrounding tissues, including, but not limited to: Inflammation and swelling. Structural issues. Abnormal growths or masses.

What is considered an urgent MRI?

An urgent MRI is for critical conditions needing immediate diagnosis, like stroke, spinal cord compression (abscess, tumor, trauma), severe infection (meningitis), or major trauma, where delays risk permanent damage or loss of life, contrasting with routine scans for chronic issues. Key indicators include sudden severe neurological deficits (paralysis, vision loss, confusion), acute spinal pain with neurological signs, or suspected acute brain/spine injury.
 

How common is an abnormal MRI?

Many of these imaging studies are performed in volunteers who are presumed healthy and free of any symptoms. Yet, even in healthy volunteers, structural abnormalities are detected quite frequently, in approximately 2–3 % of MRI scans of the brain [1, 2], and possibly in over a third of whole-body MRI scans [3].

Can anxiety affect MRI results?

Severe anxiety during MRI scanning can lead to patients moving, resulting in reduced imaging and diagnostic test quality [4].

Can MRI detect neurological disease?

MRI brain scan T-weighted images

These images can help diagnose brain conditions such as tumors, multiple sclerosis and stroke.

What kind of infection can MRI detect?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently used to diagnose soft tissue and bone infections, to determine the extent of disease, and to exclude mimickers of infection (Figures 1-18).

What is the most common reason for an MRI?

The most common reasons for an MRI involve diagnosing issues with soft tissues like the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and joints, often due to persistent pain (especially low back pain), neurological symptoms (headaches, dizziness, weakness), or suspected injuries (ligament/tendon tears in knees/shoulders), helping to detect tumors, strokes, infections, or structural damage not visible on X-rays.
 

When to worry about MRI results?

You should worry about MRI results when symptoms change rapidly (new numbness, weakness, severe pain), or if your doctor contacts you urgently about critical findings like signs of stroke, tumor, or severe inflammation; however, most "abnormalities" are common issues like old injuries or inflammation, and waiting over 1-2 weeks for routine results warrants a call to your doctor, as radiologists often flag serious findings immediately. 

What conditions could cause an abnormal MRI?

Abnormal results may be due to:

  • Abnormal blood vessels in the brain ( arteriovenous malformations of the head )
  • Tumor of the nerve that connects the ear to the brain ( acoustic neuroma )
  • Bleeding in or around the brain.
  • Brain infection.
  • Brain tissue swelling.
  • Brain tumors.
  • Damage to the brain from an injury.

How quickly will a doctor call with MRI results?

If your results are not serious, they will be ready within 1-2 weeks. Although 2 weeks can feel like a long time to wait for your results, it will be well worth it because MRIs are the most accurate scans available today.

What kind of virus causes sudden hearing loss?

A number of infections cause sudden hearing loss during or immediately after acute illness. These infections include bacterial meningitis, Lyme disease, and many viral infections. The most common viral causes in the developed world are mumps and herpes simplex brain infection.

What are the first signs of hearing loss?

Signs you or your loved one may have hearing loss:

  • Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.
  • Thinking that people are mumbling.
  • Frequently asking others to repeat themselves.
  • Family or friends complain that you ask them to repeat often.
  • Turning up the volume on the television or radio.

Can sudden hearing loss be caused by a brain tumor?

As the tumor grows, symptoms may become more noticeable or may worsen. Common signs and symptoms of an acoustic neuroma include: Hearing loss, usually gradually over months to years. In rare cases, hearing loss can be sudden.