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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive, usually painless medical test that uses a magnetic field and weak radio wave pulses to generate images of the body. No X-rays are used. These images outline brain tissue, soft tissues of the abdomen and pelvis, the spine and joints very clearly. In some patients, an MRI contrast agent called gadolinium is injected intravenously. This contrast contains no iodine and is well-tolerated by patients with allergies to iodine (IVP dye, shellfish).
How to Prepare
| 1. Do not eat or drink at least 4 hours prior to the procedure; check with your physician if there is a twelve hour fast. |
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| 2. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You will need to remove all clothing and jewelry in the area to be examined. Other items not allowed in the exam room include: watches, credit cards and hearing aids, pins, metal zippers, removable dental work, pens, pocketknives and eyeglasses. | |
| 3. Report to your physician if you have an internal defibrillator, cochlear (ear) implant and/or clips used on brain aneurysms. People with any of the above cannot get an MRI and should not enter the exam room. | |
| 4. Report to your physician if you have medical or electronic devices in your body such as artificial heart valves, infusion catheter, intrauterine device (IUD), cardiac pacemaker, artificial limbs or metallic joint prostheses, metal pins, screws, plates, surgical staples, etc. | |
| 5. Report to your physician all medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements. | |
| 6. Report to your physician if you have had any serious health problems such as kidney disease and sickle cell anemia. | |
| 7. Women should ALWAYS inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. | |
| 8. Report to your physician any allergies you may have, especially to anesthesia or to contrast materials. | |
| 9. If you have claustrophobia or anxiety, you may want to ask your physician for a prescription for a mild sedative. | |
| 10. Check with your physician if you are on blood thinners (Coumadin, Warfarin). You may need to stop your medication and/or have blood coagulation tests within normal values prior to the procedure. | |
| 11. Check with your primary physician if you are taking Insulin. The morning dose on the day of the procedure may need to be adjusted because of skipping breakfast. |
What to Expect
You will be positioned on the moveable exam table. Straps and bolsters may be used to help you stay still and maintain the correct position during imaging. Small devices that contain coils capable of sending and receiving radio waves may be placed around or adjacent to the area of the body being studied. If a contrast material is used, it will be swallowed, injected through an IV or administered by enema, depending on the type of examination. You will then be moved into the magnet of the MRI unit and the radiologist and technologist will leave the room while the MRI exam is performed. The exam generally includes multiple runs and the entire exam is usually completed within 45 minutes. If you have not been sedated, no recovery period is necessary. You may resume normal activities and diet immediately after the exam. A few patients experience side effects from the contrast material, including nausea and local pain. Very rarely, patients are allergic to the contrast material and experience hives and/or itchy eyes. It is recommended that nursing mothers not breastfeed for 36 to 48 hours after an MRI with a contrast material.
For more information about Magnetic Resonance Imaging, please visit www.radiologyinfo.org.
