MRI

A small team of people including a radiologist (specialist doctor), radiographers, nursing staff and assistants may carry out and be present during the examination.

An MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  This is an examination of parts of the body using a strong magnet and radio waves.  We carry out a variety of MRI scans such as abdomen, angiography, arthrography (shoulder/hip), brain, breast, cardiac, head, cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) including liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, joints, pelvis, prostate, small bowel and spine.

You will be asked to lie down on the scanner table.  A specially shaped piece of equipment may be placed over or around the part of the body that is to be examined.  The table will then slide inside the magnet which is light, well ventilated and open at both ends.  While the scanner is producing the pictures you will hear tapping or loud noises.  You will be given earplugs or headphones to wear.  At some sites you may be able to listen to music through headphones.  We have a selection of music but you could bring your own.  There is a microphone for you and the radiographer to talk and also an emergency contact button.  We ask you to stay very still because movement will blur the pictures.

Not everyone needs an injection for MRI imaging.  When an injection is needed, you will be given an injection of contrast medium (a colourless liquid often referred to as a dye) into your arm or hand.   You may be given a small injection in your arm to help relax your stomach or bowel.  This may cause temporary blurring of vision.  This will be discussed with you during the examination.

The examination will usually last between 30 and 60 minutes.  However, it may be better to assume that you will be in the department up to 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Jewellery and other accessories should be removed prior to the MRI scan as they can interfere with the magnetic field of the MRI unit.

You may not be allowed to enter an MRI scanning room if you have any of the following: heart pacemaker, artificial heart valve, metals clips in your head following brain surgery, metal fragments or shrapnel in your body, inner ear implants, spinal cord stimulator, some metal plates, pins or implants in your body or if you are pregnant.

You will be given a safety questionnaire with your appointment letter.  It is important that you complete this and bring it with you to your appointment.  If you are unclear about any of the questions please contact the Department using the telephone number on your appointment letter.

The results of the MRI scan will be sent to the person who referred you within two weeks of your appointment and they will make arrangements to let you know the results.

You can find details of the referring Hospital or GP Practice in your appointment letter.

MRI Frequently Asked Questions

We have a selection of informative pictorial booklets available that have been developed and produced by Bayer HealthCare and wtih their permission are available for you to read.  The booklets are designed for parents of young children and for teenagers to help explain about the MRI examination.

We are grateful to Bayer HealthCare for allowing us to publish the booklets on our website.

A video has also been produced explaining a typical patient journey through MRI that we hope will be helpful to patients.  The audio content of the video is also available as a word document.  Please click on the links below to view the video or access the audio content on a word document.