Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form images of organs inside of the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body. It uses very high magnetic field. Our scan machine is Philips Achieva 1.5Tesla scanning machine.

Preparation for MRI scan

• No Starvation required
• Light cotton clothes preferable.
• Scan lasts for 20 to 45 minutes depending on region.

Due to high magnetic field, there are some precautions needed and few are contra indicated to enter MRI scan room. Please inform the staff if you have any of the following. If you have any doubts, please feel free to ask any of our staffs Contraindications:

Absolute contraindications:

• The cardiac implantable device such as pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices
• Metallic intraocular foreign bodies: For patients who work in welding places or had any facial injury with metal; an orbit x-ray must be taken and reviewed by the radiologist for approval before the MRI.
• Cochlear implants/ear implant
• Drug infusion pumps (insulin delivery, analgesic drugs, or chemotherapy pumps): If possible, the patient has to remove the device.
• Catheters with metallic components (Swan-Ganz catheter)
• Metallic fragments such as bullets, shotgun pellets, and metal shrapnel
• Cerebral artery aneurysm clips
• Magnetic dental implants
• Artificial limb
• Hearing aid

Relative contraindications:

There are several relative contraindications:

• A patient presenting with any of the following objects require an evaluation with caution before MRI
• Coronary and peripheral artery stents
• Airway stents or tracheostomy with metals
• Ocular prosthesis
• Surgical clips or wire sutures
• Joint replacement or prosthesis
• Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter: If make and model of filter unknown, the patient can be scanned after six weeks of being implanted.
• Medication patch: The patches require removal before the procedure.

MRI scan regions