Second degree burns are the most commonly reported patient problem. Other reported problems include injuries from projectile events (objects being drawn toward the MRI scanner), crushed and pinched fingers from the patient table, patient falls, and hearing loss or a ringing in the ear (tinnitus).
Risks of the Procedure
Because radiation is not used, there is no risk of exposure to radiation during an MRI procedure. However, due to the use of the strong magnet, MRI cannot be performed on patients with: Implanted pacemakers. Intracranial aneurysm clips.
In conclusion, although MRI is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool, it is also highly unspecific and its results are often poorly correlated with a patient's symptoms. MRI's can also make pain worse by instilling fear and anxiety in patients who conclude that the cause of their pain is what is seen in their scan.
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.
The MRI scan is a very safe procedure. Occasional complications may include: Metal objects (such as jewellery) worn during the scan can cause injury. The powerful magnetic field of the MRI scanner may damage internal metal devices, such as a heart pacemaker.
An MRI machine uses powerful magnets that can attract any metal in your body. If this happens, you could get hurt. It can also damage equipment that's implanted in your body -- a pacemaker or cochlear implant, for instance.
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.
According to the FDA, second-degree burns are the most reported MRI safety issue. Burns associated with the MRI's radiofrequency (RF) field can occur in a variety of ways, the most obvious of which is when a patient comes in contact with the bore during scanning.
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.
Although there are no known health effects, evidence has shown that very small amounts of gadolinium can remain in the body, particularly the brain, after multiple MRI exams. This is most likely to occur in patients receiving multiple MRI exams over their lifetime for monitoring chronic or high-risk health conditions.
MRI is thought to have no long-term side effects, conversely to ionizing radiation-based imaging techniques (x-ray angiography, coronary computed tomographic angiography, and nuclear imaging), which can induce cell death or persistent DNA damage, resulting in mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and genomic instability.
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.
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.
If You Have an Overactive Bladder
This feeling of urgency can make it harder to hold urine in. While you may still experience this urgency to a degree, not drinking for several hours before your procedure can make you less likely to experience incontinence during the scan.
Results. The radiologist may discuss initial results of the MRI with you right after the test. Complete results are usually ready for your doctor in 1 to 2 days. An MRI can sometimes find a problem in a tissue or organ even when the size and shape of the tissue or organ looks normal.
After the exam
Radiology staff will bring you back to your locker and you can change back into your clothes. If injected contrast agent was used, the IV will be removed from your arm before you go home. If you took medication to prevent claustrophobia or were given anesthesia, you must have someone else drive you home.
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.
Nearly everyone who works around magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has heard of or experienced incidents involving ferromagnetic projectiles. Some have caused serious injuries and even deaths. Statistically a small accident occurs once every year and a major accident happens once every 4 years in any MRI Suit.
scans cause any harm? A. Magnetic resonance imaging, or M.R.I., is considered one of the safest technologies for looking deep inside the body, because it doesn't carry the radiation risk of X-rays or PET scans.
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!
Be sure to wear clothing that does not have any metal in it (zippers, buttons, etc.). If your clothes do have metal in them, you'll be given a hospital gown to change into for your scan. Normally you can wear your underwear and socks during the scan, unless your radiologist is concerned about metal microfibers.
Gadobenate is a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA). Gadobenate is given by injection before an MRI scan to help find problems in the brain, spine, and other parts of your body.
A CT scan may be recommended if a patient can't have an MRI. People with metal implants, pacemakers or other implanted devices shouldn't have an MRI due to the powerful magnet inside the machine. CT scans create images of bones and soft tissues.
Some MRI scans involve having an injection of contrast agent (dye). This makes certain tissues and blood vessels show up more clearly and in greater detail. Sometimes the contrast agent can cause side effects, such as: feeling or being sick.
Most metal tooth fillings or other permanent dental implants won't cause a problem. If you have detachable metal braces or a retainer, you should take them out before you get an MRI.