Frequently Asked Questions
A patient's step by step guide to Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You will need to fill out an MRI questionnaire and be interviewed before the MRI examination.
- Wear loose fitting clothes, without metal accessories. You may be asked to wear a patient gown to avoid possible interference from metal pieces in your clothing.
- We try our best to perform your exam at your scheduled time or earlier. You may be asked to wait as your examination may be delayed if there is an emergency case. Feel free to bring some reading material.
- Your examination may be rescheduled if you arrive late, but we will try our best to accommodate you on the same day.
- You may be asked to return at a later date for additional views.
- Please give us at least 24 hours notice if you plan to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of looking inside the body. Instead of x-rays, the MRI scanner uses magnetism and radio waves to produce remarkably clear pictures of your head, spine, or other parts of your body. An MRI scanner consists of a strong magnet with a radio transmitter and receiver. These instruments gather the information out of your body. MRI produces soft-tissue images and is used to distinguish normal, healthy soft tissue from pathologic tissue.
Depending on what information your doctor needs, the MRI scan may require the use of a contrast-agent given intravenously to assist in visualization of certain structures in your body.
After you have removed all metal objects, the technologist will position you on a special table, and the table will then slide into the scanner. You will be able to communicate with the technologist through a microphone during the scan.
For clear pictures, you will be asked to hold still when the machine is scanning. In some cases, you will be asked to hold your breath. While the machine is taking your pictures, you will hear rapidly repeating, thumping noises coming from the walls of the scanner. As MAGNETOM Aera features AudioComfort the acoustical noise is already reduced by 97% as compared to conventional systems. For additional comfort earplugs may be provided.
This whole procedure will usually be repeated several times, and the entire exam ordinarily takes between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.