There aren't any side-effects from the MRI scan itself. However, if you've had an injection of contrast medium (dye) as part of the investigation, you may have some side-effects which might include a skin rash, dizziness, a headache, and nausea.
Following an MRI with contrast, if you or a loved one have suffered from persistent pain, headaches, skin changes, brain fog or other problems, it may be the result of toxic gadolinium building up in your brain or body.
Sensations of self-motion and vertigo are common among patients and technologists near MRI scanners and especially near stronger magnetic fields.
Vertigo induced by exposure to the magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner is a well-known phenomenon within the radiology community but is not widely appreciated by other clinical specialists.
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.
Some patients occasionally experience a tingling sensation or feel hot from being in the MRI scanner. These effects only last a short while and should ease as soon as the scan is over.
The magnetic fields that change with time create loud knocking noises which may harm hearing if adequate ear protection is not used. They may also cause peripheral muscle or nerve stimulation that may feel like a twitching sensation. The radiofrequency energy used during the MRI scan could lead to heating of the body.
Transient reactions
The most common adverse reactions are minimal: headache, nausea (feeling slightly sick) and dizziness for a brief time after the injection. A few patients will have a feeling of coldness at the injection site.
Several studies have shown that MRI causes severe anxiety in 37% of patients, even those who state that they are not claustrophobic, and 5–10% cannot complete MRI due to claustrophobia [7].
Most brain MRI exams are painless, but some people find it uncomfortable to remain still for 30 minutes or longer. Others may experience anxiety due to the closed-in space while in the MRI machine. The machine can also be noisy.
Over the years I met other MRI technologists who stated they have similar problems including slurred speech, slower response times, short-term memory loss, navigation, harder to learn new things. For me, it was like walking around in a zombie state, not depression but suppression of the nervous system.
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. You will hear very loud banging noises during the series of scans.
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.
An MRI can't diagnose migraines, cluster, or tension headaches, but it can help doctors rule out other medical conditions that may cause your symptoms, such as: A brain tumor. An infection in your brain, called an abscess.
Depending on the focus of the scan, a head or brain MRI generally takes 30 to 60 minutes.
The MRI machine uses a combination of a strong magnet, radio transmitter and receiver. When the sequences are performed, electric current is sent through a coiled wire-an electromagnet. The switching of the currents causes the coils to expand making loud clicking sounds.
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.
Drawbacks of MRI scans include their much higher cost, and patient discomfort with the procedure. The MRI scanner subjects the patient to such powerful electromagnets that the scan room must be shielded.
In a new study published in Current Biology online on Sept. 22, a team led by Johns Hopkins scientists suggests that MRI's strong magnet pushes on fluid that circulates in the inner ear's balance center, leading to a feeling of unexpected or unsteady movement.
Many experts debate how often an MRI scan of the brain, but many believe that having an MRI twice annually is safe. However, the number of MRI scans you may need depends on your situation, condition, and doctor's recommendation.
What will I feel or hear in the MRI machine? Once you're inside the machine, you'll hear some buzzing, clunking and squeaking sounds as technicians switch the intensity of the magnet. Some patients may feel some heat during an MRI scan, but this is rare.
The combination of the closed environment and the noise make it uncomfortable for some patients, especially if they are claustrophobic. Approximately 10 % of people who attempt an MRI are unable to complete it because of claustrophobia.
MRI scans which show soft tissues, such as nerves and discs, are generally preferred over CT scans which show bony elements. Advanced imaging can show exactly which nerve or nerves are being pinched and what is causing the nerve to be pinched.