MRI SCAN – NHS

Why does a MRI scan ends

MRI scans can be used for:

• Find out what causes any symptoms you have
• Check your bones and organs
• See how well the treatment works, for example, by checking the size of a tumor during and after cancer treatment

Preparation for MRI scanning

The hospital where you have the MRI scan will tell you if there is something you need to do before you have the scan.

You may be asked:

• They do not wear anything that has metal in it, such as jewelry, bra, hair clips or hearing aids
• Remove the coins or keys from your pockets
• Change in a hospital dress if your clothes have metal parts such as zipper
• You don’t wear makeup

You will be asked to fill in a form asking if you:

• are pregnant or may be pregnant
• breastfeeding
• I had surgery before
• have kidney problems
• You have metal parts in your body such as surgical clips, pacemaker, dental fills or bridges
• You have any allergies, including a dye called a medium of contrast used during some sweeps

What happens during MRI scanning

A MRI scan is done in the hospital by a healthcare professional called Radiographer.

It usually lasts between 15 minutes and 1 hour, but can last longer.

Before a MRI scan

At the scan appointment, you may be injected with a medium of paint to help show more details on the MRI scan images.

During MRI scanning

During MRI scan:

1. You will be asked to lie down in a bed.
2. You will be given plugs or headphones to protect your ears because magnetic tomography scanners make strong strokes and clicks as they take photos.
3. The radiographer will check the scanner from another room. They will be able to hear and talk to you during scanning.
4. You will still have to lie so that the scanner can take clear images.
5. You may be asked to keep your breath during the scan parts.

After MRI scanning

After scanning, the radiographer will return to the room to lower the bed so you can get up.

If you are given a means of contrast, you may be asked to wait in the hospital for up to 30 minutes to make sure you have no reaction to it.

If you had a medicine to help you relax during MRI scan, you might be able to go home within a few hours. Someone should collect you from the hospital and take you home by car or taxi, as you should not drive for 24 hours.

You will be able to eat and drink normally after scanning.

Downloading MRI scan results

It usually lasts between 1 and 2 weeks to get the MRI scan results.

Pictures must be examined by a specialist called radiologist.

They will write to the doctor who told you about the scan. You may need an attendance appointment to talk about MRI scan results.

If you haven’t heard anything after a few weeks, please contact the doctor who reported to you for the scan.

The doctor should talk to you about your results and explain what will happen next. Tell them if you have questions about your results or you don’t understand them.

Possible Magnetic Resonance Scan Complications

A MRI scan is a common process. Serious complications are rare.

If you had an injection of a medium of paint, you can get a small bruise in the area where you had the injection.

The contrast medium can cause side effects, but they are usually mild and should not last long. Side effects may include:

• feeling or ill
• A skin rash
• headache
• a metallic taste in your mouth
• dizzy

Allergic reactions to the contrast medium are rare, but they may include:

• cough, whistling or sneezing
• thrifty
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• a rash, hives or itching red skin

Most of the reactions occur shortly after or within the first hour of having a means of contrast. Tell the radiographer if you start feeling well during or after scanning.

You will be asked to wait for the hospital for about 30 minutes after you have the scan to check for any reaction to the medium.