Remove all metal items such as hair clips, jewelry, watches, hearing aids and dentures. Credit cards will be erased if brought into the MRI. You will be asked to change into a gown for your exam. Tell your doctor and the MRI technologist if you suffer from claustrophobia (fear of being closed in).
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.
There is no need to alter your diet or medication prior to an M.R.I. examination*. During the exam most metal items will need to be removed. Patients with metallic implants, pacemakers or metal clips must notify the office prior to examination.
Unless you're told otherwise, you can shower and wash your hair the morning of your MRI. Don't use any hair products (such as hair spray or hair gel). Don't wear any metal objects. Remove all jewelry, including body piercings.
Can a subject wear deodorant for an MRI scan? It is recommended to refrain from wearing any powder, perfumes, deodorant and/or lotions on your underarms and chest area prior to the procedure. This is to prevent the possibility of localized burns because these items may have metal in them.
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.
Lying still is critical to insuring that the MRI pictures taken will be accurate and clear. Prior to the scan, the Board Certified Anesthesiologist will put you into a very light sleep to help you relax and minimize any fear or anxiety.
You will be asked to fast for 4 hours prior to your exam. You may take your usual medications with small amounts of water. Otherwise, no additional preparation is needed.
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 need to hold urine in your bladder for 30 minutes before your scan. Your doctor will talk with you about the scan and answer your questions.
After the scan, you can resume normal activities immediately. But if you have had a sedative, a friend or relative will need to take you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. It's not safe to drive, operate heavy machinery or drink alcohol for 24 hours after having a sedative.
Consider Avoiding the Bathroom for Several Hours Prior to the Scan. If you have to go to the bathroom, then go to the bathroom. On the other hand, do not go to the bathroom unless you must. There is a chance that you may be asked to drink some contrast material before the scan.
There also aren't any restrictions on what you can do after the test. “Patients can resume their normal activities immediately after the MRI scan,” Dr. Taouli says. (Unless you had any drugs for sedation or anxiety, in which case you may need someone to drive you home; be sure to ask your doctor about this beforehand.)
Prior to Your Appointment
Do not drink or eat anything with caffeine for 24 hours before the MRI, as caffeine may affect the results. This includes coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate. Do not eat for four hours before the MRI.
MRI is also contraindicated in the presence of internal metallic objects such as bullets or shrapnel, as well as surgical clips, pins, plates, screws, metal sutures, or wire mesh. If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your physician.
You should not have to do too much to prepare for a head MRI. You may be able to eat, drink and take your medications as usual. However, if your doctor ordered a scan for other parts of your body, such as your abdominal region, they may instruct you not to drink or eat four to six hours before the test.
It is likely that you will experience cramping, wind-like discomfort and some diarrhoea for the first 24 hours after the scan. This is caused by the Mannitol drink, and is very common affecting 1 in 10 people. If this happens to you, you may wish to take some pain relief, and drink water to keep hydrated.
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.
It is one's own decision of whether or not to take shower during or after the radiology tests. Taking before is not a mandate but after the tests become necessary for an individual as during the tests so much of medical ointment is put on the body that one, obviously, won't like it after the test.
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.
Cotton, polyester, and wool are best. Don't worry about the snaps or zippers on pants, as that metal can be allowed into the scanning facility. If you have questions about these procedures, please feel free to contact the study coordinator.
You will be asked to remove any clothing containing metal and all jewelry. You will be provided metal free clothing to change into such as gown, shorts or pants.
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.
Magnets only attract ferromagnetic metals such as iron, cobalt, and nickel. Metal fillings, commonly called silver fillings because of their color, are made of about 50% mercury, plus silver, tin, copper, and other metals. Magnets have no effect on these materials.