You must lie very still during the scan otherwise the pictures might turn out blurry. If you are finding it difficult to stay still, or if you have claustrophobia or chronic pain, you may have to be sedated.
The procedure typically will last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type of scan required by your physician. You just need to be as still as possible during the exam. In fact, some patients fall asleep during the MRI exam. A technologist will be able to see you at all times.
The Upright MRI is the only MRI scanner that can image patients in any position, whether it's sitting, standing, bending or lying down. This allows it to image any part of the body.
How long does an MRI scan take? A single scan may take a few seconds or 3 to 8 minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath during short scans. The total scan lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are needed.
An MRI scan is a painless procedure, so anaesthesia (painkilling medication) isn't usually needed. If you're claustrophobic, you can ask for a sedative to help you relax. You should ask your consultant well in advance of having the scan.
Today, when it comes to getting an MRI, that innate reaction is considerably less helpful if your doctor says you need a scan to guide your treatment. The escape reaction leads some people to crawl right out the end of an MRI machine during the middle of an exam.
If you need to cough or get an itch, tell them and they can get you out, or give you a short break between sequences. Then you are moved out of the machine, released, have your plastic tube removed and can go home.
It's important that patients remove all clothing prior to their MRI exam. We ask patients to remove: All outer clothing, including shoes. Bras or any undergarment that could have metal in it.
In most cases, a family member or friend may enter the MRI room with you and stay with you throughout your exam. If the situation allows, they may even hold your hand or pat you on the knees so that you know that they are there with you.
Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.
You will be required to lie still during the MRI scan but will be made as comfortable as possible with the use of pads, a pillow, and supports. Depending on the body part that is being examined, you may be instructed to hold your breath for up to 30 seconds at certain times during the scan.
For women, if possible, do not wear an underwire bra (the metal can throw off the magnetic field). Sports bras are usually good and we have hospital gowns to change into if necessary. The clasps on the back of a regular bra are not a problem, but avoid wearing bras that have metal parts on the straps.
Can a subject wear deodorant for an MRI scan? It is recommended to refrain from wearing any powder, perfumes, deodorant and/or lotions on your underarms and chest area prior to the procedure. This is to prevent the possibility of localized burns because these items may have metal in them.
When it is appropriate for a patient to wear a face mask during an MRI examination, please ensure the face mask contains no metal. If the absence of metal cannot be confirmed and it is determined to be appropriate for the patient to wear a face mask, an alternative mask confirmed to be absent of metal should be used.
Things to remember
Unless you're told otherwise, you can shower and wash your hair the morning of your MRI. Don't use any hair products (such as hair spray or hair gel). Don't wear any metal objects. Remove all jewelry, including body piercings.
What Happens During an MRI? The MRI room will likely be cold; this ensures a proper working environment for the machine's magnets. During the MRI, you'll lie completely still on a narrow table inside a large, tunnel-shaped scanner that's open at both ends.
Patients with certain conditions that may prevent them from staying still in the MRI machine, such as claustrophobia, anxiety, or a condition that causes physical pain, may have an MRI with anesthesia. It is also common for children to have an MRI with anesthesia, since it is often difficult for them to remain still.
Holding your breath briefly stops your lungs moving in your pictures and making them blurry. You will need to take a deep breath and hold still while your picture is taken. Sometimes you may also need to blow all the air out and hold still while the picture is taken.
5. Brain imaging can reveal unsuspected causes of your anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by many things, such as neurohormonal imbalances, post-traumatic stress syndrome, or head injuries. Brain scans can offer clues to potential root causes of your anxiety, which can help find the most effective treatment plan.
Many MRI procedures don't require your head to go inside the machine at all, but if you need a head or upper spine MRI, you'll appreciate the fact our machine provides a full 12 inches of clearance between your face and the wall – relieving stress for our patients with claustrophobia.
The amount of time for the scan will vary, depending on what you are having scanned. Normally, scans last between 15 minutes to an hour. In extreme circumstances, a patient may need to be sedated for the scan. The MRI machine itself looks like a tunnel with a table attached to it.
Unlike X-rays or computed tomography (CT scans), MRI does not use ionizing radiation. Some MRI machines look like narrow tunnels, while others are more spacious or wider. MRI scans can last from 30 minutes to two hours.