MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a procedure that uses magnetic fields, radio waves, and computers to capture the images of the internal human body to identify disease or abnormal conditions. MRI scan is done on an outpatient basis.
Test Details:
- The patient is dressed in a loose gown(without any jewelry, metals, clips,electronic devices etc).
- The patient is refrained from eating/drinking a few hours before the scan depending on the type of MRI test..
- Devices that have coils are responsible for sending and receiving radio waves, placed next to the patient while scanning.
- Unlike x-ray and ct scan, mri scan doesn’t use radiation.Radio waves re-align and align hydrogen atoms inside the body. When they align they emit energy depending on the body tissue.MRI scanner captures this energy.
- The patient is moved into the magnetic unit. Bolsters and strips are used for patient’s still position
- The patient is given a special dye, a contrast material called Gadolinium. It is used with iodine contrast allergy and injected into the hand/arm.
- Images will be taken while injecting or after injecting.
- The MRI test takes around 30-50 minutes.