Final answer:
Fabrics with metallic fibers can heat up during an MRI exam due to the interaction with the strong magnetic field used to generate detailed images of soft tissues within the body. MRI contrast agents are utilized to increase the contrast in images for better tissue differentiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some fabrics contain metallic fibers and can heat up during an MRI exam. MRI machines use powerful magnetic fields which can interact with metals, potentially causing movement or heating of metallic objects, which is why magnetic materials must be removed before an MRI scan.
During an MRI, a person is placed within a large solenoid (magnetic field generator) that exposes the hydrogen nuclei in the body's water to magnetic fields, causing them to emit signals read by sensors. These signals are crucial to form detailed images of soft tissues within the body.
MRI contrast agents, like those involving the highly paramagnetic ion Gd³+ within stable complexes, are sometimes used to enhance the magnetic properties of water in various cells, aiding in the distinguishing of different tissues.