MRI

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without zippers or snaps (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images. You will lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-shaped scanner. Some exams require a special dye (contrast). Most of the time, the dye will…

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan. Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious, or your provider may suggest an open MRI, in which the machine is not as close to…

An MRI exam causes no pain. If you have difficulty lying still or are very nervous, you may be given a medicine to relax you. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors. The table may be hard or cold, but you can request a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned…

Having an MRI can often help: Diagnose an infection Guide a doctor to the right area during a biopsy Identify masses and tumors, including cancer Study blood vessels MRI images taken after a special dye (contrast) is delivered into your body may provide extra information about the blood vessels. A magnetic resonance…

A normal result means the body area being studied looks normal.

Results depend on the part of the body being examined and the nature of the problem. Different types of tissues send back different MRI signals. For example, healthy tissue sends back a slightly different signal than cancerous tissue. Consult your provider with any questions and concerns.

MRI does not use ionizing radiation. No side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported. The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. This substance is thought to be generally safe for most people. Gadolinium is retained in the brain and other organs (including the skin in people…

Carpenter JP, Litt H, Gowda M. Magnetic resonance imaging and arteriography. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 30. Carucci LR. Diagnostic imaging procedures in gastroenterology. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds.…