Information for patients
MRI SCAN
Derriford Hospital
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
Tel: 0845 155 8155
www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk
What is an MRI Scan?
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. An MRI scan
uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create
pictures on a computer of tissues, organs and other
structures inside your body.
Who will do my scan?
Your examination will be done by one of our highly trained
staff. Your scan will be undertaken by specialists
(radiographers) and the scans will be reported by specialist
doctors (radiologists);
What does an MRI scan involve?
The MRI scanner is a table about 1.5 meters long
surrounded by a large circular magnet. You lie on a couch
which then slides into the scanner. A 'receiving device', like
an aerial, is placed under, or around, the part of the body
being examined. This detects the tiny radio signals emitted
from your body. When each scan is being taken you need to
keep still for a few minutes otherwise the scan picture may
be blurred.
The scan itself is painless. The whole procedure can take
15-40 minutes. We will try to make you as comfortable as
possible. Small children may need a general anaesthetic to
keep them still long enough for the pictures to be taken. In
some cases an injection of a special contrast agent is given
via a vein in the arm. This helps to give clearer pictures of
certain tissues or organs being examined.
The Radiographer sits in the control room next to the
scanner and observes through the window. However, you
can talk to them, usually via an intercom, and you will be
observed at all times on a monitor.
The scanner is noisy so you will be given some headphones
or earplugs to protect your ears from the noise. Quite often
you can listen to the radio through the headphones or bring
a CD to listen to.
What is an MRI scan used for?
An MRI scan creates clear pictures of most parts of the
body. So it is useful for all sorts of reasons where other tests
(such as X-rays) do not give enough information. It is
commonly used to get detailed pictures of the brain and
spinal cord. Torn ligaments around joints can be detected by
an MRI scan. So, it is being used more and more following
sports injuries.
What preparation do I need to do before an MRI
scan?
Usually very little. But there are certain safety procedures as
you will be inside a strong magnet. You will be asked to fill in
a safety questionnaire (when you attend) that asks about
things that may contain metal such as pacemakers, hearing
aids, etc. Please remove all piercings and jewellery before
attending for your scan.. Fixed bits of metal in your body
such as an artificial hip or screws used to fix fractures are
usually fine after eight weeks, but you should tell the
Radiographer if you have any implants inside your body.
(There will be a section on the safety questionnaire about
this for you to fill in.)
Please read the instructions carefully because for some
examinations you need to starve or be present in the
department one hour before the appointment time.
Are there any possible complications?
MRI scans are painless and safe. Unlike X-rays and some
other imaging tests, an MRI scan does not use radiation.
However:


Occasionally a contrast agent will be administered and
some people may have a reaction e.g. feel sick. This is
very rare and every precaution is taken to avoid this.
Pregnant women are advised not to have an MRI scan
during the first trimester unless clinically indicated.
Although the scan is thought to be safe, the long-term
effects of strong magnetic fields on a developing baby
are not yet known. Therefore please let us know if there
is any possibility of being pregnant.
What can I expect after the scan?
There are no after-effects from the scan. You can return to
your normal activities as soon as the scan is over.
The pictures from the scan are studied by a Radiologist,
who sends a report to the doctor who requested the scan.
Parking
The Hospitals car parks are pay on foot, this means patients
and visitors will collect a token on the way into the car park
and pay before they exit the car park. The pay machines
will accept payment by cash and give change, payment by
credit/debit card and payment by mobile phone. These
machines are located throughout the car parks and in the
Main Entrance. A small number of pay and display car
parks are also available.
Important Notice to Patients
There is a period of up to 15 minutes free parking in the
marked drop off areas near the main entrances to the
Hospital. This is designed for picking up/dropping off only
and is not enough time for attending a hospital appointment.
If you are attending a hospital appointment, then please use
either the pay on foot or pay and display car parks.
Notes:
This leaflet is also available in large print and
other languages
Contact: Imaging Department
Tel: 01752 517779
Issue date: November 2013
For review: November 2015
Ref: B-225/imaging/MR/ct MRI scan v3