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MRI Procedure FAQ

MRI Facts

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners use a powerful magnetic field (magnetism), radio waves and a computer to produce detailed three dimensional pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed. MRI scans do not require x-ray radiation and are noninvasive, usually painless medical tests.

MRI Side Effects

Patients with pacemakers, metal implants or metal chips/clips cannot be scanned. Patients may experience a feeling of claustrophobia when undergoing an MRI scan.

What to Expect Before Your MRI

Your physician or facility may have specific requirements regarding your eating and/or drinking before an MRI. Unless you are told otherwise, you may eat and drink normally before an MRI. Leave all metallic items at home, if possible.

Notify your technologist if you have metal or electronic medical devices in your body!

If a contrast material is required for your MRI, a nurse or technologist will insert an intravenous (IV) into a vein in your hand or arm. It is normal to experience a cool or flushing feeling.

What to Expect During Your MRI

During your MRI, you will likely be asked to lie on a bed that slides into the circular magnet. If you have claustrophobia (a fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you should notify your physician as a mild sedative may be prescribed or an open-sided MRI machine may be used.

Most MRI exams are painless. However, it is normal to feel warm in the area of your body that is being imaged. The entire imaging session should be able to be completed in under an hour.

What to Expect After Your MRI

Unless you have been sedated, an MRI requires no recovery period.

How does an MRI Machine Produce Images?

MRI scanners produce images by creating a strong magnetic field that causes protons inside of the body to move enough to be detected by the MRI’s scanner. This positional information is then interpreted by a computer.

When is an MRI used?

The ability of an MRI to produce images of softer bodies makes it capable of imaging organs and internal structures of the body when other testing has failed. For this reason, an MRI can be used to provide images of a brain, for example, suspected of suffering trauma that is causing swelling and/or bleeding.