If you have never had an MRI, knowing roughly what happens takes the edge off. Most scans are straightforward and take around half an hour.
Before
Usually there is little to no preparation. The most important thing is to tell us about any implants, surgical metalwork or implanted devices in advance, because the scanner uses a powerful magnet and we need to confirm everything is safe first.
On the day
You lie still on a table that moves into the scanner. It is noisy while it works, and you will be given headphones or ear protection. The scan takes around thirty minutes depending on the area, and for most scans someone can stay with you.
Contrast, if needed
Some scans use a contrast dye to make certain tissues clearer. It is used only where it is clinically needed, and we will tell you beforehand if your scan is likely to require it.
After
There is no recovery time for a standard MRI. A consultant radiologist reports the images and we return the report within a short turnaround.