MRI

MRI is a scan which uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of soft tissues, organs and other structures. These images are used by your doctor to help with your diagnosis or treatment.  The magnetic field and radio waves used in MRI are not known to be harmful.

For some examinations, you will be sent specific instructions on eating and drinking prior to the scan in the appointment letter. Unless you have been asked to follow specific instructions, you may eat and drink as normal beforehand.

Please report to radiology reception 10-15 minutes prior to your appointment (unless otherwise stated in your appointment letter). If you are late for your appointment, it is possible we may not be able to scan you and an alternative appointment would be made. If patients have conditions such as autism, dementia or are immunosuppressed which may make appointments challenging, please let us know and we will try and accommodate appointments at quieter times, or provide alternative waiting areas wherever possible, although this cannot be guaranteed.

On arrival, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire which is required to ensure you are safe to go in the scanner. A member of staff will go through this with you before you go in for your scan. If you require an interpreter, please let us know in advance.

You will be shown to a changing room and asked to change into a gown and remove any metal items, including watches and activity trackers. You may prefer to bring your own clothing, but please ensure there are no metal zips, eyelets or sportswear with silver fibers.   If you are having a head scan, you will be asked to remove anything in the area that may contain metal such as dentures, piercings, hairclips, hearing aids or wigs / weaves / extensions before going into the scan room. Please do not wear excessive amounts of hair spray or gel. Some cosmetics contain metal pigments, and it is advisable not to wear eye makeup to your appointment. Although there are lockers for safe storage, please attend with minimum belongings and jewelry. You will be weighed before your scan. For some scans, a small plastic tube called a cannula will be inserted into your arm so that contrast dye (see ‘Contrast injections’ section) or medication can be given during the scan.

The radiographer will explain what will happen during your scan. If you have any concerns, you will have the opportunity to discuss them with the radiographer. Most scans take about 20-30 minutes, but some can be as short as 10 minutes or as long as an hour, depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are needed of each part.

Although we try to keep to your appointment time, there may be occasions where patients have had to have an urgent scan at short notice which may cause delays. We will keep you informed of any delays and appreciate your understanding.

Please note that we do not have childcare facilities, children cannot go into the room with you, nor can they be left unsupervised in the waiting area.

If you are claustrophobic, please phone MRI and discuss with one of our radiographers. We can explain the scan in more detail.  There are a number of things we can do to help, for example, use an eye mask or mirror during the scan, or arrange a visit to the scanner prior to your visit if you think it would be useful. In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible for a friend / relative / carer to remain in the room with you, but they will also have to complete a safety questionnaire and remove metal.

If you feel you may need medication to help, then please talk to your GP who may be able to prescribe this for you. We cannot prescribe this in the MRI department. If you have been given medication to help, then please ensure you have someone to transport you to and from your appointment.

MRI does not use X-rays (ionising radiation), so is considered safe for most patients. However, staff need to be completely sure that you meet safety standards before entering the MRI room.

The doctor who refers you for the scan should explain why they are referring you.

We want to involve you in all decisions about your care and treatment and before taking you in to the scanner, we will ensure that you understand what it involves, you will have an opportunity to ask any questions and we will confirm that you agree to the examination. You can change your mind at any time, but please bear in mind that not having a scan may delay your diagnosis or treatment.

If you have any queries about any aspect of your scan, please contact the doctor who referred you, or speak to the radiographer who will carry out the scan.

The scanners are ‘wide bore’ with an opening of 70cm and approximately 1.5m long.  It is well lit and open at both ends, you will not be totally enclosed.

You will be asked to lie on the scanner bed and depending on which area is being scanned, a device to receive the signal may be placed over the area of interest.

The radiographer will make you as comfortable as possible, before moving you into the scanner. It is important to let the radiographer know if you are not comfortable as you need to remain still for the scan, otherwise the images may be blurred and require repeating.  If you struggle to lie flat or remain still due to pain, please consider taking your usual pain relief to improve your comfort prior to your appointment. The MRI department will not be able to prescribe or provide you with pain relief.

You will then be moved into the scanner, either headfirst or feet first depending on which part of the body is being scanned.  For many scans, a mirror can be placed over your head which will allow you to see out of the scanner. You will be given a buzzer so that you can squeeze it if you need to talk to the radiographer. The radiographer operates the scanner from the next room, but they can see you at all times, and can talk to you through the intercom system between scans.

The scanner is very noisy and makes a loud knocking sound which changes during the scan but is completely normal. We will provide you with headphones / ear plugs. We can provide music or the radio to listen to.

The radio waves used in the scan can cause heating and you may feel an increase in temperature, so it is suggested you wear light clothing. There is a fan within the bore of the scanner that is used to keep you cool. Occasionally, some patients experience tingling in hands and feet. These are normal sensations, but if you feel particularly hot or uncomfortable, let the radiographer know by squeezing the buzzer.

For some scans, it may be necessary to have an injection of a colorless liquid, a contrast dye which contains gadolinium and gives more detail on some tissues and blood vessels to help with the diagnosis. This will be fully discussed with you if given.

Occasionally (approximately 1 in 1100), it is possible to have a mild reaction to the dye, which may include itching, nausea or vomiting, which usually occur soon after injection. Severe reactions are very rare (0.001% to 0.01%). However, please let your radiographer know if you experience any symptoms and bring any inhalers or sprays you use to your appointment. If you are having a scan of your abdomen or pelvis, you may require an injection of Buscopan which is a muscle relaxant that is used to reduce blurring of the images from bowel motion. It may also give you blurred vision and a dry mouth, but this is short acting and should have resolved by the time the scan is finished. Again, this will be fully discussed with you at your appointment if required.

If you have had an injection, the cannula may still be in place and will be removed at the end of the scan. You can then get dressed and leave. You can eat and drink normally following the scan.  If you had contrast dye, it is a good idea to keep well hydrated following the scan.

The radiographers who do the scan are the specialists in obtaining high quality images.  They will not be able to give you your results on the day. The images are stored on a computer network and can be accessed by your referrer when they are completed and will be looked at by a radiologist who will write a report to your referrer.

The report / results of the scan will be sent to the person who referred you for the scan.