Metallic objects, such as jewelry, hairpins and watches, can be damaged during an MRI . Leave metallic objects at home or remove them before your MRI .
You can eat prior to the exam and there are no limitations on what you can eat. We advise you drink water the day before your test and hydrate prior to your appointment, proper hydration assists us in finding your veins.
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.
Preparing for a breast MRI
They also will need to let their doctor know whether they're pregnant, breastfeeding or taking any medications. MRIs use powerful magnets. Patients should tell their care team if they have metal implants or piercings in their body because some may need to be removed beforehand.
It is also important to time the MRI to occur between days seven and 14 of the menstrual cycle to best visualize the breast tissue.
You'll be instructed to breathe normally but to lie as still as possible. The breast MRI appointment may take 30 minutes to one hour.
You will be given a gown to wear and somewhere to place your belongings. You will need to take off your jewellery, bra and any other clothing items that contain metal, such as zippers or metal buttons.
You will be asked to wear a gown during the exam. No clothing with metal can be worn during a breast MRI.
We advise you drink water the day before your test and hydrate prior to your appointment, proper hydration assists us in finding your veins. If you know finding a vein in your arms is challenging please call the MRI department 24 hours prior to appointment.
High-Yield Organ Systems for Malignancy on Breast MR Images
The most common distant sites of breast cancer metastasis are bone (57.5%), lung (36.1%), liver (34%), lymph nodes (27%), and brain (34.5%) (9–12) (Fig 1) (Table 1), the first four of which are routinely depicted on breast MR images.
The Morning of Your MRI
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!
An MRI can give your doctor information about your breasts, chest wall, and underarm.
You will be provided metal free clothing to change into such as gown, shorts or pants. Lockers are available to safely store all personal items such as wallet, purse, keys, phone and other electronic devices. These items cannot enter the exam room with you.
Also, to avoid potential aspiration issues while lying flat, you'll also want to avoid eating and drinking for at least two hours before your scan.
If contrast dye was used during your procedure, you may be watched for any side effects or reactions to the dye. These may include itching, swelling, rash, or trouble breathing. If you're nursing, don't breastfeed for 36 to 48 hours after a breast MRI with contrast dye.
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.
Personal care items like make-up, antiperspirants, powders and lotions may include elements that can interfere with the clarity of your imaging. So, feel free to shower as normal, just don't apply personal products until after your appointment.
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.
Please do not wear jewelry, hairpins, eye makeup or any metal objects. Glasses, dentures, hearing aids, and watches will be removed at the time of the examination; you will be provided a locker. If your MRI requires contrast, do not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to exam.
Makeup and nail polish that contains metal particles should be removed if applied to the area undergoing the MRI examination. Many of our patients receive a contrast agent intravenously during their MRI scan to give a clearer picture of the area being scanned.
make the patient comfortable • give clear instructions • create a relationship • be professional • set boundaries. When positioning a patient for a breast MRI, place the patient prone into the coil with their face down into the holder and their arms relaxed above their head without hands clasped together.
Coils Can Boost Patient Comfort
Another way to increase patient comfort is by using more comfortable coils. During a breast MRI, the patient lays on a patient support and contoured coils are moved to the breast to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, thus creating sharper images.
As you lay on your stomach, the breasts are placed through openings in the contoured examination table. The breasts suspend away from the chest, which means there is no added discomfort from compression. We ease you into the MRI scanner feet first, thus reducing feeling of claustrophobia.
Yes, socks can be worn in an MRI scanner as long as they are free of any metal (such as buckles or laces). Non-slip socks are recommended for comfort and safety. If you have any doubts or questions, it's best to check with your imaging center before the scan.
After the Test
Generally speaking, there are no after-effects of a breast MRI procedure. You may have pain, redness, or bruising at the IV injection site. On rare occasions, you may experience an allergic reaction to the gadolinium solution. Most cases are mild.