Problems with MRI

It may not be possible, or safe, to have a MRI scan if you have any of these items:

• Cardiac pacemaker
• Surgical clips in your head (particularly aneurysm clips)
• some artificial heart valves
• Electronic inner ear implants (bionic ears)
• Metal fragments in your eyes
• Electronic stimulators
• Implanted pumps

Let the MRI Unit know well before your appointment if you have any of these. Experienced MRI staff will have to discuss the exact implant or metal with you to decide if it is safe to perform the scan. Deciding which implants cannot be scanned takes special knowledge and experience. Before the scan you will be asked a series of questions to check that it is safe for you to enter the scan room.

People with dental fillings and bridges, hip and knee replacements, and tubal ligation clips can all be scanned safely. The Radiographers will want to know about these things to minimize the effect they have on your images.

Claustrophobia

If you have experienced claustrophobia, or have trouble in enclosed spaces talk about it with the MRI staff before your appointment date. For mild claustrophobia, the staff can help you to relax enough to get rid of the anxiety in a few minutes. If your claustrophobia is severe you may need an anti-anxiety prescribed by your referring doctor or G.P. Staff at the MRI unit can be contacted about this and can offer your doctors some advice. You shouldn't drive after taking such drugs, so arrange a safe way to get home. Because there are no side effects of MRI you can bring a friend into the scan room for support if that will help your anxiety. Children in particular should feel free to bring an adult in with them. Everyone coming into the scan room will be asked the questions about metal and implants.

Contrast Injections (Dye)

Most MRI tests do not need you to have an injection, but in some situations a contrast agent can greatly improve the accuracy of the scan. The contrast is injected into a vein, and the dose is quite small. MRI contrast is not the same as X-ray contrast. Very few people notice when it is injected. Make sure to tell the technologist if you have any allergies to contrast dye.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or could be pregnant at the time of your scan appointment, please call us early so we can discuss the situation with you and consult your doctor. MRI causes a slight heating of your body, so most MRI sites avoid scanning during the first 3 months of pregnancy unless the diagnosis cannot wait and the only alternative test uses X-rays. Beyond that period, MRI is still avoided if the diagnosis can wait till your child is born as a matter of extreme caution. In many sites around the world MRI is used to examine pregnant women and their babies to avoid the need for X-ray tests. MRI contrast is not used during pregnancy.