Patient Information Sheet
on MRT (Magnetic Resonance Tomography) Examinations
Dear patient,
Your treating physician referred you to us for conducting an MRT examination. This examination
method uses a powerful magnetic field to create slice images with the help of additional, rapidly
changing magnetic fields and radio waves. No X-ray radiation is needed for this examination. We
use a magnetic field strength of 1.5 tesla. Since the introduction of this method in the early 1980s
no health damaging effects have emerged.
Examination Room
Nuclear spin tomography is a very sensitive examination method. For this reason the examination
must be conducted in a specially shielded room. The part of the body to be examined lies in the
center of a device with a tunnellike construction, similar to a computer tomograph. The examination
as such can take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the area of the body to be examined. As
the measurement is very sensitive, you should lie calmly and relaxedly during the whole
examination. Due to technical reasons you hear knocking sounds while the measurements are
conducted, but these sounds should not concern you. If you wish, you can listen to some music
through headphones. (You are welcome to bring your favorite CD along.) In the case of an
abdominal examination you will be given breathing instructions. During the examination you can at
any time contact us by means of a bell and in addition you are supervised through a window all the
time.
Contrast Agent
In some cases it is necessary to use a special contrast agent (gadolinium). Usually it is very welltolerated, even if patients are allergic to iodine or rather X-ray contrast agents containing iodine.
Occasionally a metallic flavor, headache, dizziness or paresthesia at the injection site can emerge
temporarily. Rarely sickness, vomiting, reddened skin, itching or wheal building are observed. So
far severe allergies or cardiovascular reactions have occurred only in extremely rare, particular
cases. During pregnancy or in case of significantly restricted renal function the examination is
usually conducted without contrast agents.
Waiting Times
We are always trying to adhere closely to the appointments made with our patients. But some
examinations require more time than expected. It may also be necessary to examine emergency
patients immediatedly. This may lead to waiting times for subsequent patients.
We kindly ask for your understanding, if waiting times occur. You also wish to be examined with
the highest possible care and as an emergency or pain patient you wish to be preferred as well.
Examination Restrictions
The following persons must usually not be examined by means of nuclear spin tomography:
−
−
−
−
persons wearing pacemakers, drug pumps or neurostimulators.
patients with magnetic vascular clips, especially in the cranial area, or with metallic middle
ear implants.
patients with magnetic metal parts in the body (e.g. shell splinters); in this case the physician
should be consulted before an examination.
women during pregnancy, if the examination can be postponed, although so far no damages
have been observed.
If one of the above mentioned issues applies to you, please inform us immediately.
Caution!
In the examination room a powerful magnetic field exists, so that loose metal parts you are carrying
along may cause accidents. Please, by all means, follow the instructions of our staff before entering
the examination room and leave all sorts of metal items, electronic devices and magnetic data media
in the cubicle: watches, jewelry, glasses, hearing devices, check cards, keys and coins etc. must be
deposited in the cubicle. Stationary dental implants and bridges are however unproblematic.
Some tatoos (with metal pigments) or make-ups (especially mascara containing metal pigments) as
well as some piercings may get very hot during the examination and may possibly lead to burns.
These occurrences are not predictable for each particular case. Please bear in mind that you are
responsible for burns caused by tatoos, make-ups or piercings that were not removed, and that we
do not assume liability in such cases.
If you have any further questions concerning the examination method or procedure, please contact
our staff or the physician.
................................................................................................................................................................
I hereby give my consent to the suggested MRT examination.
I agree with contrast agent, if necessary:
YES
NO
I have a normal renal function:
YES
NO
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Last name, first name
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Date of birth
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Weight (kg)
Heidelberg, .................................
Date
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Signature