More sensitive than CT in the detection of posterior fossa and cervicomedullary lesions, ischemia, white matter abnormalities, cerebral venous thrombosis, subdural and epidural hematomas, neoplasms, meningeal disease, cerebritis and brain abscess than CT scan of the brain.
Generally held that MRI better than computed tomography for the diagnosis of acute stroke.
Pituitary pathology, carcinomatosis, diffuse meningeal enhancement in low cerebrospinal fluid pressure syndrome more likely to be detected than by CT scan of the brain.
About 2% are unable to tolerate the study.