MRI images will be viewed by a radiologist who's specially trained in reading and interpreting the scans. The radiologist will send a report to your doctor, who will discuss the results with you and explain what they mean. In most cases, results can't be given directly to the patient or family at the time of the test.
MRIs are safe and easy. No health risks have been associated with the magnetic field or radio waves, since the low-energy radio waves use no radiation. The procedure can be repeated without side effects. If your child requires sedation, discuss the risks and benefits of sedation with your doctor.
Also, because contrast solutions can cause allergic reactions in some kids, be sure to check with your doctor before your child receives any solution. There should be medical staff available who are prepared to handle an allergic reaction.
If your child has decreased kidney function, this is an important medical condition to discuss with the radiologist and technician before receiving IV contrast since it may lead to some rare complications. You can help your child prepare for an MRI by explaining the test in simple terms before the examination.
Make sure you explain what part of the body will be examined and that the equipment will probably make knocking and buzzing noises. If an injection of contrast fluid is required, you can tell your child that the initial sting of the needle will be brief and that the test itself is painless.
If your child will be awake for the test, be sure to explain the importance of lying still. Your doctor may suggest that you and your child take a tour of the MRI room before the test. If you have questions about the MRI procedure, speak with your doctor. You can also talk to the MRI technician before the exam. Reviewed by: KidsHealth Medical Experts. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.
What It Is Magnetic resonance imaging MRI is a safe and painless test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the body's organs and structures. Why It's Done MRI is used to detect a variety of conditions, including problems of the brain, spinal cord, skeleton, chest, lungs, abdomen, pelvis, wrists, hands, ankles, and feet.
Getting the Results MRI images will be viewed by a radiologist who's specially trained in reading and interpreting the scans. Risks MRIs are safe and easy. Helping Your Child You can help your child prepare for an MRI by explaining the test in simple terms before the examination. It may also help to remind your child that you'll be nearby during the entire test.
An MRI is the most sensitive imaging test for brain scans today. An MRI will help your doctor make an early diagnosis of a range of health conditions. You might get a head MRI so your doctor can check for any of the following:. By looking at MRI images, your doctor can see details of blood flow and fluids surrounding the brain, which can help determine abnormalities in the brain relating to arteries and veins.
An MRI brain scan also shows brain lesions. A brain lesion appears as a dark or light spot that does not look like normal brain tissues.
Brain lesions may be present due to multiple sclerosis or as a result of an infection or a tumor. In general, a brain MRI will enable your doctor to examine blood flow and tissue health in the following brain structures.
You should not have to do too much to prepare for a head MRI. You may be able to eat, drink and take your medications as usual. However, if your doctor ordered a scan for other parts of your body, such as your abdominal region, they may instruct you not to drink or eat four to six hours before the test.
Because an MRI machine is essentially a magnet, it can interact with metals, thus creating a blurry image. You can prepare for your scan ahead of time by removing the following items from your body and pockets:. Before you schedule your appointment for a brain MRI, make sure to inform the medical staff if you have any of the following conditions.
Some items can pose a risk during an MRI. Make sure your doctor and medical staff know about any of the following items before you get your MRI:. Also, let your doctor know if you are unable to lie down for 30 to 60 minutes , or have had an allergic reaction to a contrast agent in the past that required medical treatment. Lastly, know tattoos may cause discomfort during the test due to traces of metal in ink.
Knowing what to expect can help calm any of your anxiety about your MRI. Here are typical steps involved with getting an MRI. First, medical technologists will instruct you to remove and store any metal materials in a lockable storage area.
You may wear comfortable clothes that do not contain metal or change into medical scrubs top and pants or a hospital gown once you get to the MRI center. Medical staff will guide you into a special room that holds the MRI scanner. An MRI machine looks like a giant tube with openings at both ends. Newer machines are bigger and provide more space, which may help ease claustrophobia. You may hear different noises as different scans are taken.
It's normal for the noise to be very loud. You need to remain still when the scan is being taken. People are typically in the scanner from 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the images to be taken.
A complex examination can take longer. If you are concerned about being in the scanner for this length of time, talk to your physician and the technologist. They can help you with some tips for staying comfortable. If you need to be removed from the scanner, this can be done very quickly. The ends of the scanner are always open. After your exam, the images will be reviewed by your radiologist. He or she will send a report to the health care provider who ordered the test.
Ask your health care provider any questions you have about your MRI. A cardiac MRI provides still or moving pictures of how the blood is flowing through the heart. Vivien Williams: One out of four, that's how many people will die of a heart related problem.
Doctors at Mayo Clinic are trying to improve those statistics. They're using MRI s to look inside the heart to find disease and tailor treatment to keep people healthier longer.
Brian Shapiro, M. Vivien Williams: Dr. Brian Shapiro uses MRI to look for abnormalities in the heart. So, swelling of the heart is a very common thing in heart attacks, and infections, and things like that. Shapiro how well the heart pumps, where irregular heart beats originate, the location of blood clots, artery blockages, scar tissue, or even tumors.
Because MRI allows doctors to see more detail of the heart, they can make more accurate diagnoses, and therefore tailor treatment for patients. Vivien Williams: Images that tell Dr. Shapiro if a patient will recover, if there's permanent damage, and what treatments might be best. Information from inside the heart that can help Dr. Shapiro and his colleagues better help their patients. Shapiro says while MRI can show lots of information about the heart, it does not replace other tests such as stress tests or echo cardiograms.
It's another option for looking inside the heart. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.
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This content does not have an Arabic version. Brain tumor MRI Brain tumor imaging. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. MRI technician: You can breathe. Breathe normal. Vivien Williams: The moving or still images show exactly where damage happens. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Accessed July 20,
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