Note: Some MRI centers may have different policies for giving patients copies of their MRI. For instance, instead of a disc, you may be given a USB drive. It’s even possible to host and send MRI files online. The important thing in any case is to get the MRI files onto your computer. [1] X Research source

However, MRI viewing software is notoriously unreliable — it’s something that even doctors have a hard time with. You may need to take extra action (see below).

If you’re not having any luck or you can’t find an included installer program, try downloading a free MRI viewer from the internet. This site has many links to programs that can view medical images in the standard DICOM format. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

Note that most medical imaging software refers to collections of images as “studies”. You may not see an “import image” option, but you’ll probably see something to the effect of “import study. " Another option you may encounter is that, as soon as the program loads, it will present you with a “table of contents” of all the MRIs on the disc. In this case, simply select the study you want to view first to proceed.

Be patient while you wait for your images to load. Though the viewing programs don’t usually look like much, a single MRI image contains a large amount of information, so it may take your computer a moment or two to finish the job of loading it up.

Sagittal: Often the easiest for non-doctors to interpret. Sagittal MRIs are basically side or profile views of your body. The image is as if you’ve been sliced in half vertically, from your head to your pelvis. Coronal: These images are basically a “head on” view of your body. You’re looking at your features vertically from the front — as if you were standing facing the camera. Cross-sectional: Often the hardest for non-doctors to interpret. Here, you’re basically viewing thin slices of your body from the top down — as if you’ve been cut into many thin horizontal slices from your head to your toes like a salami.

The exact shade that each type of tissue will be depends on the MRI’s contrast settings. The two main contrast settings are called T1 and T2. Though the differences between these settings are minor, they can help doctors find problems more efficiently. For instance, T2 is usually used for diseases (as opposed to injuries) because diseased tissues tend to show up better on this setting.

The section-cut line on the layout picture also shows the direction that the image was taken from. For example, if your MRI were a picture of an everyday object, like a tree, the section cut line might show you if the picture was taken from above in a plane, from a second-story window, or from the ground.

For example, if you’re viewing a sagittal image of your spine along with a cross section of one of your vertebrae, moving the section-cut line may allow you to cycle up and down through the various vertebrae above and below it. This can be useful for locating problems like herniated discs.

A good example of the second case is for spinal disc herniations. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source The spine is made up of many different bone vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Between every two vertebrae is a fluid-filled disc. When you get a herniated disc, one of these discs breaks and the fluid leaks out, causing pain as it presses against the nerves in your spine. You’ll be able to see this on a spinal MRI — there will be a long line of “normal” vertebrae and discs, with one noticeably bulging out.

Behind the spinal vertebrae, in sagittal view, you’ll see a white, rope-like structure. This is the spinal cord, the structure connected to all the body’s nerves. Look for spots where the vertebrae or discs seem to “pinch” or press into the spinal cord — because the nerves are so sensitive, just a little pressure can lead to pain.

Brain tumors often take the form of round, golf ball-like growths in the brain which will usually show up as either bright white or dull grey surrounded by a ring of white. However, other brain problems (like multiple scleroses) can also have a whitish appearance, so this alone may not be a sign of a brain tumor.

Osteoarthritis: Decreased joint space in the affected knee. Formation of osteophytes (jagged boney projections the form off the side of the affected knee). [8] X Research source Ligament tear: Increased joint space in the affected knee. Pocket may fill with fluid that shows up as white or light-colored. Separation of the ligament itself may be visible. [9] X Research source Meniscus tear: Abnormal joint spacing. Dark-colored features on either side of the joint space pointing inward. [10] X Research source