Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the procedure. If you don't need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire (bras), belts or buckles.
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.
Undergarments. If you wear a bra, please wear a sports bra or a bra that does not have any underwires. If you wear an underwire bra on the day of your scan you will need to remove it.
Depending on where your body will be scanned, you may have to put on a hospital gown for your examination. In the case where you don't need to wear a hospital gown, you should avoid clothing items with metals in them. If your bra has any metal in it, whether they are underwires or not, it is best not to put it on.
You can usually keep your underwear on. The MRI scanner is very noisy. You will be given some headphones to help block the sound of the scanner.
You will be asked to remove any clothing containing metal and all jewelry. You will be provided metal free clothing to change into such as gown, shorts or pants. Lockers are available to safely store all personal items such as wallet, purse, keys, phone and other electronic devices.
Why You Should Avoid Wearing Sanitary Pads During an MRI: Sanitary pads contain metal components, such as adhesive strips, which can interfere with the MRI scan and result in image distortion. This can lead to inaccurate diagnoses and potentially delay medical treatment.
You will not be able to have breakfast the morning of your surgery. You can brush your teeth in the morning, just be sure to spit the water out!
The underwire can be made of metal or molded plastic; most are metallic. Plastic underwire has a very small share of the market because it does not provide the same support and rigidity offered by metal underwire. A metallic underwire is a thin strip of metal, usually with a nylon coating at both ends.
Radiologists recommend fasting prior to undergoing a CT or MRI with contrast because of the possible side effects of the contrast agents. While rare, side effects of contrast can cause nausea or vomiting during the test. Vomiting while lying down could cause food blockages in your airway, known as asphyxia.
Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the procedure. If you don't need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire (bras), belts or buckles.
Generally, MRI follows this process: You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids, hairpins, removable dental work, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. If you are asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.
Various clothing items such as athletic wear (e.g., yoga pants, shirts, etc.), socks, braces, and others may contain metallic threads or metal-based anti-bacterial compounds that may pose a hazard. These items can heat up and burn the patient during an MRI.
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.
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.
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.
Ring. The ring is the metal or plastic join (typically in the shape of a ring) that connects the straps to the band, or a non-adjustable section of the strap to an adjustable section. The more durable the material used by the ring, the longer the bra will last.
Do not put on makeup — Some makeup contains metals that may be affected by the MRI machine. Check your makeup to make sure it contains no metals or play it safe and skip putting on makeup until after the scan.
Athletic clothing and undergarments can contain metallic microfibers to deter odor and bacteria. In MRI scans those metal fibers can heat up and produce burns on your skin.
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.
Consider Avoiding the Bathroom for Several Hours Prior to the Scan. If you have to go to the bathroom, then go to the bathroom. On the other hand, do not go to the bathroom unless you must. There is a chance that you may be asked to drink some contrast material before the scan.
Don't wear makeup.
Some cosmetics contain metals that can interact with MRI magnets, so on the day of the MRI don't wear makeup or nail polish. Also, minimize hair products and forgo antiperspirants and sunscreens, which contain metals, just to be safe.
The MRI personnel will ask you many questions to determine if you can safely be imaged. You will also be asked you weight and height. This information will allow the pulse sequence to adhere to the specific absorption rate (SAR) limitations described in Chapter 9, and the proper choice of imaging hardware.
As a result of the foreign body's ease of movement in the strong magnetic field at this period, your vision is seriously threatened. Because of this, radiologists advise keeping your eyes closed throughout an MRI to protect them.
You won't have pain from the magnetic field or radio waves used for the MRI test. But you may be tired or sore from lying in one position for a long time. If a contrast material is used, you may feel some coolness when it is put into your IV.