A brain MRI can take about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. It may take longer if you're getting a brain MRI with contrast. Your healthcare provider will be able to give you a more exact time range based on the specific reason for your scan.
Before an MRI exam, eat normally and continue to take your usual medications, unless otherwise instructed. You will typically be asked to change into a gown and to remove things that might affect the magnetic imaging, such as: Jewelry. Hairpins.
On the day of your MRI scan, you should be able to eat, drink and take any medication as usual, unless you're advised otherwise. In some cases, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for up to 4 hours before the scan, and sometimes you may be asked to drink a fairly large amount of water beforehand.
If you're getting an MRI/MRA with IV Contrast
For IV Contrast patients, you should stay hydrated and should drink 16 oz. of water prior to your exam and 16 oz. of water after your exam.
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.
You may have clear liquids only (jello, tea, fruit drinks without pulp, black coffee, water, etc.) for 6 hours before the exam.
What medications are used? Propofol will be given through an I.V. to induce sleep. This medication has a short duration of action and a rapid recovery time and is administered to make sure you remain asleep during the entire MRI study.
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.
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.
MRI Scans:
Patient should remain empty stomach for 6 hours before the appointment time, if you are undergoing an Abdomen or Pelvic scan or contrast study. For all other scans, no fasting is required. Children can be individually assessed by the radiologist for fasting time.
If you're familiar with imaging centers or scans, such as MRI and CT, then you're likely aware of the fact that prior to any of these scans, a radiology technologist will politely ask you to please remove your jewelry and clothing and change into a specified gown. We ask our patients to do this to prevent injury.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head is a painless, noninvasive test that produces detailed images of your brain and brain stem. An MRI machine creates the images using a magnetic field and radio waves. This test is also known as a brain MRI or a cranial MRI.
While many brain conditions can be serious or life-threatening, it's important to realize that an MRI of the brain isn't something that should be scary. It's a beneficial process that can help your medical team spot potential problems and offer treatment before the issues develop into something more severe.
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.
The radiologist may tell you some of the results of the MRI right after the test. Full results are sent to your doctor or specialist in 1 to 2 days.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most types of MRIs take about 15 to 90 minutes to complete. In some cases, your MRI might be shorter or longer. The part of your body getting scanned and the number of images needed to play a role in determining how long the MRI will take.
They can talk with you and be there to support you during and after the examination. They can also drive you home if you have sedative medicine during the examination. If you do take sedative medication, you cannot drive yourself.
It's important to understand that you can't use an MRI scan to diagnose migraines or any type of headaches. However, with these scans, your doctor can see if you have any other medical conditions including: A brain tumor. An abscess (an infection in your brain)
During the procedure, they'll inject the gadolinium-based dye into your arm intravenously. The contrast medium enhances the image quality and allows the radiologist more accuracy and confidence in their diagnosis.
Yes. Do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before your scan. We may ask you to change into a hospital gown. We may ask you to remove dentures, jewellery, hearing aids, hairpins and eye makeup.