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.
The procedure is painless. You don't feel the magnetic field or radio waves, and there are no moving parts around you. During the MRI scan, the internal part of the magnet produces repetitive tapping, thumping and other noises. You might be given earplugs or have music playing to help block the noise.
For some MRI exams, depending on the body part being imaged, we may not need to have your head inside the scanner at all. This dramatically lowers the expectation or experience of claustrophobia.
Before your MRI, you should also know that some of the MRI-claustrophobia-related stories you may have heard are likely no longer accurate. Modern MRI machines are not dark, closed off tunnels. They are well-lit, open on both sides of the tunnel, and they are wider than they once were.
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.
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.
For example, open MRIs are typically used for brain scans, while closed MRIs are preferred for examining leg injuries. Your physician can recommend the appropriate scan for you. At Premier we'll also ask you qualifying questions to make sure you receive the proper exam. Does an open MRI take longer than a closed MRI?
The MRI of the brain requires you to lie down on the scanning table, head-first.
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.
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.
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.
On very rare occasions, a few patients experience side effects from the contrast material. These may include nausea, headache, and pain at the site of injection. It is very rare that patients experience hives, itchy eyes, or other allergic reactions to the contrast material.
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.
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.
Why Are Brain MRIs Done? A brain MRI can help doctors look for conditions such as bleeding, swelling, problems with the way the brain developed, tumors, infections, inflammation, damage from an injury or a stroke, or problems with the blood vessels.
MRI can be used to detect brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, developmental anomalies, multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, infection, and the causes of headache. Figure 1. MRI of the brain.
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.
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.
Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is associated with high levels of anxiety in many patients which may interfere with image quality and increase examination time.
MRI is used to diagnose stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain and spinal cord tumors, inflammation, infection, vascular irregularities, brain damage associated with epilepsy, abnormally developed brain regions, and some neurodegenerative disorders.
An MRI will show a detailed image of your brain, spinal cord, nerve tissue, and more. A neurologist would order an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of your brain if they suspect something is wrong, if they are diagnosing an issue, or if they want to monitor the development or treatment of an injury.