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MRI is a non-invasive test that allows examination of the entire upper airway and brain in multiple planes and in a short time, with no radiation exposure as compared to CT scan. It provides good temporal and a high contrast resolution and can evaluate upper airway on a real time basis. As the functional factor is different during sleep and wakefulness, imaging should be done in both states. Sleep or Dynamic MRI after giving sedation inducing sleep is the ideal thing to do. Dynamic MRI imaging can accurately diagnose the cause and level of upper airway narrowing in patients with OSA. It can characterize and anatomically classify the level of narrowing for planning Sleep surgery. Any brain pathology due to chronic hypoxia also can be detected.
