How is it performed? of MRI scan

Home

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

An MRI scanner is a large, hollow tube, through which a motorized bed passes. When having a scan, you must lie on the bed, and a receiving magnet is placed around the part of your body that is being examined. You are then moved into the cylinder where the pictures are taken.

Several scans will be taken and you may have to lie in the cylinder for up to an hour. It is important to be as comfortable as possible, because you must lie very still to avoid blurring the images. You may be given earplugs or headphones because MRI scanners are very noisy. If you feel nervous or claustrophobic, your doctor may give you a sedative to help you to relax.

As MRI scanners use very powerful magnetic waves, it is necessary to remove all metal from your body such as jewellery and accessories before the scan.