Patient Information FAQ

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a method of producing high-resolution pictures of any part of the body. It can be used to diagnose a large number of medical conditions including certain diseases that are not assessed adequately with other methods such as x-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scans. MRI involves the use of a strong magnet to take pictures of internal organs and tissues. The MRI scanner is operated by a radiographer, who is trained to carry out imaging investigations. The doctors specialized in analysing the MRI scan images are called radiologists.

An MRI scan is painless and very safe procedure. There are no known biological effects. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (X-rays). MRI scanners use magnets and radio waves to create images of the body. MRI can demonstrate very high soft tissue detail and it is one of the best imaging modalities to demonstrate disease conditions. The level of detail in MRI is one of the best compared to any other imaging techniques. MRI is the method of choice for the diagnosis, disease staging, treatment efficiency analysis, and post surgical evaluations of many types of diseases or injuries because of the incredible ability to tailor the scan to answer the particular medical question being asked.

Little preparation needed for an MRI exam. Take your daily medications as you normally would, unless instructed otherwise. There are a few dietary restrictions for an MRI scan and you will be notified of the requirements for those particular MRI scans. Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your MRI scan appointment and check in at the radiology reception.

A member of MRI staff will meet you at the reception. The staff will check your Identification and requested MRI scan, then brief you regarding the scan you are going to undergo. Your screening form will be reviewed by the radiographer in privacy in consultation with the radiologist. Once you have completed the questionnaire, you'll usually be asked to give your signed consent for the MRI scan to go ahead. The Radiographer will double check the safety screening form completed by you to ascertain whether or not it is safe to place you inside the MRI scanner. Some of the implants and ferromagnetic objects used during surgery are not safe. It is very important to answer all the safety questions accurately. Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, the radiographer may ask you to wear a hospital gown during the procedure. If so, a locker will be provided to secure your belongings. If you don't need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire (bras), belts or buckles.

Radiographer positions you within the scanner. During an MRI scan, you lie on a flat bed that's moved into the scanner.You will be asked to keep very still while the scan is being performed. MRI is very sensitive to patient movement. We can use pillows and soft pads to aid your comfort before we get started.

The MRI scanner is very noisy when it is in operation so it is necessary to provide you with ear protection/headphones. Some of the scanning noises are like pneumatic drilling noises. We can play music to you during the scan so please feel free to bring a favourite CD or we may play your choice of radio stations.

The MRI radiographic staff will be in a separate control room during the scan but you will be able to talk to them via an intercom system if required. You will be provided with a call buzzer and squeeze this in the case of any emergency or you would like to call the radiographer. If you feel uncomfortable or worried then please mention this to a member of staff who will help you feel at ease every step of the way. MRI scans may take 15 minutes to two hours depending on the area being scanned and the specific clinical question we are going to answer.

Your scan may require an injection of a contrast medium (a dye), which helps to produce more detailed images. The contrast medium will be injected via a cannula, a small plastic tube, placed into a vein in your arm/hand before the scan.

MRI is an extremely safe procedure. The MRI scanner does, however, use a strong magnet so it is important that you tell us if you have certain implants in your body or if you have had certain operations. Medical devices and implants that contain metal may malfunction or be a hazard during an MRI scan. Implants such as knee or hip replacements, dental work and gold/silver wedding rings could be perfectly safe. You will be screened to ensure your safety.

It is not safe for some people to have an MRI scan because of the strong magnetic field. When you arrive, a member of our team will complete a safety checklist with you to ensure that you are suitable for an MRI scan.

Please contact your referrer (for example your GP, Consultant or Physiotherapist) if you have any of the following implants, as they will need to be checked with the model number, batch number, date of implantation and manufacturer details thoroughly prior to your appointment. Your scan may not be possible for safety reasons if you have:

• A Cardiac Pacemaker or Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator Artificial cardiac devices/recorders/leads
• Aneurysm Clips (these are metal clips that are inserted during some operations, especially in the blood vessels of the brain)
• A Neurostimulator anywhere in your head or body
• A Cochlear Implant (a fixed implant used to aid hearing)
• Metal fragments in your eye, head or body (or suspect that a metal fragment may have entered your eye, particularly through work with a lathe or metal grinding equipment. (Please contact us, prior to you MRI appointment for advice)
• Had any surgery in the last six weeks prior to your appointment

As the MRI scanner produces strong magnetic fields, it's important to remove any metal objects from your body.

These include: Watches
Jewellery, such as earrings and necklaces
Piercings, such as ear, nipple and nose rings
Dentures (false teeth)
Hearing aids
Wigs (some wigs contain traces of metal)

Any valuables can usually be stored in a secure locker.

Some MRI scans involve having an injection of contrast agent/dye. This makes certain tissues and blood vessels show up more clearly and in greater detail. The most common MRI contrast agents are ones that contain gadolinium. Hundreds of millions of patients throughout the world have received gadolinium during an MRI exam. If necessary, it is administered through a small catheter that is placed in a vein in your arm or hand prior to the procedure.

On very rare occasions, the contrast agent/dye could cause side effects, such as:

Feeling or being sick,
A skin rash
Headache
Dizziness
These side effects are usually mild and don't last very long.
It's also possible for contrast agent to cause tissue and organ damage in people with severe kidney disease.

If you have a history of kidney disease, you may be given a blood test to determine how well your kidneys are functioning and whether it's safe to proceed with the scan. Allergic reactions from the MRI contrast agent occur in less than 1 percent of all patients. These reactions are usually mild and can easily be controlled with medication. You should let the MRI staff know if you have a history of allergic reactions, any history of kidney disease or any blood clotting problems before having the injection. The MRI scanner is equipped with the necessary drugs and emergency procedure workflow to take care of any allergic reactions or any eventuality.

Most studies suggest there are no harmful effects from MRI during pregnancy. That said, our cautious approach is that MRI should only be performed after the first trimester when there is a clear and urgent indication. Less urgent studies can be deferred until later during pregnancy or until after delivery. The decision of whether or not to scan a pregnant patient is made on a case-by-case basis with consultation between the MRI Radiologist and the patient’s physician. The benefit of performing the scan must outweigh the risk, however small, to the foetus and mother.

Don’t worry. We are here to help you. If you have any fears or doubts, don’t hesitate to talk to one of our staff. If you would like to visit the department before your scan to have a look around, please contact us.

We can make arrangements to suit your individual needs. In exceptional circumstances, we may allow family members into the MRI suite with you, or we may be able to position you in a ‘feet-first’ orientation so that your anxiety is markedly reduced.