What should I wear?
Doctors will inform you prior the exam whether or not you can wear your regular clothes to the MRI. If they allow you to wear regular clothes to the exam, they’ll more than likely tell you to wear loose-fitting clothes with no metal fasteners. Otherwise they’ll provide you with a hospital gown.
Can I eat and/or drink before the exam?
Depending on the exam you get, your doctor may or may not tell you to eat or drink prior to the exam. Each exam is different and requires different preparation. Unless told otherwise, follow your regular daily eating schedule.
What does the doctor need to know about me before the exam?
It’s important to let your doctor know of any allergies that you have. Some MRI examinations require the usage of injections that may contain substances that cause adverse reactions to pre-existing allergies. Doctors normally prescribe pre-medication to their patients to counteract these adverse reactions. Some MRI examinations require the use of MRI contrasts. These MRI contrasts are dye-like injections given to patients to make certain diseases, tissues and abnormalities appear even better while scanning your body. This helps doctors detect those hard to find issues in your body by making them stand out for the MRI scan. These contrasts are given intravenously before the MRI starts.
Please let your radiologist know if you’ve had any recent surgeries. This is a safeguard for your health because the MRI can cause a great deal of stress on certain body parts if they aren’t functioning adequately.
Pregnant women and women potentially expecting should let their doctor or radiologist know of their status. Although MRI’s have been used since the 80’s without any damaging effects to women and their unborn child, its not recommended for women in their first trimester. The strong magnetic field combined with the fragile state of the unborn child poses a great risk to the success of the pregnancy.
Inform your doctor if you’re suffering from claustrophobia or anxiety. To give you a snapshot of what the structure looks like; the MRI unit is a large cylinder shaped tube surrounded by a big magnet. In order to have the MRI performed you’ll have to lie on a moveable examination table that slides into a tightly enclosed space inside of the MRI unit. Doctors normally prescribe sedatives or other medicines to ease and calm patients who suffer from either condition.
What shouldn’t I bring to the exam?
Jewelry, metal and electronic items should be left at home if possible. They can cause great interference with the magnetic field of the MRI unit. Other items to leave at home or in the waiting room: watches, credit cards, hearing aids, hairpins, metal zippers, removable dental appliances, pens, pocket knives, eye glasses and body piercings.
If you have any of the following metal implants inform your doctor: cochlear(ear) implants, brain clips, cardiac defribillators, pacemakers and metal coils place in blood vessels. Many of these implants and devices come with a pamphlet explaining the MRI risks. Certain implanted devices are to safe use after placement(normally six weeks but ask your doctor). Devices such as: artificial heart valves, implanted drug infusion ports, artificial limbs, metallic joint prostheses, implanted nerve stimulators, metal pins, screws and surgical staples to name a few.