You'll enter the scanner either head first or feet first, depending on the part of your body being scanned. In some cases, a frame may be placed over the body part being scanned, such as the head or chest.
The area of the body being scanned determines if you will go into the scanner head or feet first. The body part being scanned is always centered in the scanner.
The MRI of the abdomen requires you to lay down on the scanning table, feet first.
An MRI allows your doctor to see inside your brain to check for diseases or injuries without having to do surgery. Your doctor can use the images to make a diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for your condition.
The part that is being imaged is in the middle of the scanner. For example, if your knee or ankle is being scanned, you will go in feet first and your head will be outside of the MRI scanner. If it is your head, neck, abdomen, or pelvis being scanned, you will go in head first.
Keep your eyes closed or even wear a blindfold.
It's much easier in an open MRI it's wider than a standard scanner, so patients shouldn't feel any walls touching them.
When not properly accommodated during an MRI, claustrophobic patients may experience panic attacks, which can bring on increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, chills, sweating, and other distressing symptoms.
Generally, MRIs under anesthesia are performed under sedation, although sometimes they are performed under general anesthesia. Sedation is characterized as being in a state between relaxed and very sleepy, but not quite unconscious.
You will take off all or most of your clothes and change into a gown. If you do leave some clothes on, make sure you take everything out of your pockets. An MRI can cause a burn with some medicine patches. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are wearing a patch.
Most people who have claustrophobia are able to tolerate the MRI scan in the open, upright MRI machine. This is the structure of most MRI machines that can only perform the imaging studies with the patient lying on their back on a table that is moved into the core of the magnetic field where the images are captured.
The patient should be in a supine position. The arms must be raised above the head.
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.
You must lie very still during the scan. If you move, the MRI scan pictures may not be clear. Your primary care physician may order you a mild sedative if you are claustrophobic (afraid of closed spaces), have a hard time staying still, or have chronic pain.
Traditional closed MRI units have long, cylindrical bores. The center of the body part being imaged has to be at the center of the bore/tube. Due to this requirement, the majority of the patient's body winds up being inside the bore. The downside is obvious: a small space for a long period of time.
For patients who may experience claustrophobia during an MRI scan and require prophylaxis, the University of Wisconsin Department of Radiology suggests the use of Lorazepam (Ativan, Temesta), a short-to-intermediate duration benzodiazepine.
MRIs show common structural abnormalities among patients with depression and anxiety. Magnetic resonance images have shown a common pattern of structural abnormalities in the brains of people with major depression disorder (MDD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD), according to a study to be presented at RSNA 2017.
The most accurate MRI system is the closed MRI scan. You lie in a tube-like, narrow space structure for the scan. Patients often report feelings of claustrophobia while being scanned in a traditional closed MRI. Being obese can make it almost impossible to undergo a closed scan.
Counting numbers or listening to music: Counting slowly or listening to a soothing melody can help distract you and make the time pass quickly while you are in the scanner. Talk to the Technician: In most instances, you can speak to the technician throughout most of the procedure.
Oral Benzodiazepines
Many patients find that an oral benzodiazepine, such as Xanax, Ativan, or Valium, taken prior to the exam sufficiently relieves their anxiety and allows them to complete an MRI with relative ease.
Not intentionally. Many of our examinations require your cooperation and ability to follow commands to hold your breath to produce the images required to make a diagnosis. For those examinations, we will not allow you to fall asleep.
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a painless procedure that lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and the number of images being taken.
You may be reminded not to cough or move during the scan. Ask for a sedative: If you are claustrophobic, or are uncomfortable in closed in places, tell your physician so that arrangements can be made to make you more comfortable, Bring a favorite CD. It helps to relax while you are in the scanner.
Depending on what needs to be scanned, your test will take between 20 to 90 minutes.