How do I prepare for an MRI scan?

What should I tell you before I book my MRI?

Preparation (MRI की तैयारी in Hindi, MRI ची तयारी in Marathi) starts when you book. Send a photo of your prescription on WhatsApp (opens WhatsApp); our team confirms the scan, whether contrast is planned, the preparation and the exact figure. Before booking, tell us about:

• A pacemaker or defibrillator, cochlear implant, nerve stimulator, implanted medicine pump, programmable brain shunt, brain aneurysm clip, breast tissue expander, or any other electronic or magnetic implant
• Metal in the eye at any time, work with metal grinding or welding, or shrapnel or bullet fragments in the body; if metal in the eye cannot be ruled out, an X-ray of the eyes may be advised before the MRI
• Heart valves, stents, joint replacements, plates, screws or a copper-T: most allow MRI, but we need the details, especially if the surgery was recent
• An insulin pump, glucose sensor or medicine skin patch: these usually must come off before you enter the scanner room, so check with your doctor beforehand and bring a spare or replacement. Do not remove a pain-relief or heart patch without your doctor's advice
• Pregnancy, possible pregnancy or breastfeeding; kidney disease or dialysis; allergies; diabetes and the medicines you take for it
• An ordinary wheelchair, walking frame or oxygen cylinder: these cannot go into the MRI room, so your transfer is planned in advance
• Fear of closed spaces, or difficulty lying flat or keeping still

Can I have an MRI with a pacemaker or another implant?

Some pacemakers and MR-conditional implants can be scanned under supervision, following the device's own conditions; others cannot. For a pacemaker or defibrillator, the whole system, meaning the device and its leads, must be MR-conditional. The device is checked and switched to an MRI setting before the scan, and back afterwards, by the device company's representative, who attends the scan, and a recently implanted device may need to wait.

A previous MRI elsewhere does not by itself prove that an implant is safe, so share the device card or surgery papers and our team checks before you travel. If MRI is not possible, your doctor may choose another test, such as a CT scan.

Can I eat and drink before an MRI?

Usually, yes. Your preparation is confirmed when you book on WhatsApp; as a general guide:

Medicines: take them as usual with water. If you have diabetes and are asked to fast, tell us so the timing can be planned, and ask your doctor how to adjust your diabetes medicines that day.

What should I wear, and what stays outside the scanner room?

The MRI magnet is always on. It pulls loose metal towards it, can warm some metals and can wipe bank cards.

• Wear loose clothes without metal zips, hooks, studs or an underwired bra. You may be asked to change into a gown, because some sports and anti-odour fabrics contain metal threads that can heat up.
• Remove all jewellery, including a mangalsutra, bangles, nose pins, toe rings and piercings, as well as hairpins and clips, watches, hearing aids and removable dentures or dental plates with metal.
• Phones, cards, coins and keys stay outside the scanner room.
• Avoid eye make-up, including kajal, and glittery hair products, which can contain metal particles.
• Tattoos and permanent make-up are usually fine; tell the team at once if one feels warm or tingles during the scan.

What should I bring with me on the day?

• The prescription from your doctor
• Earlier reports and images of the same part of the body, so they can be compared
• The implant card or the papers from your surgery, if you have an implant
• If contrast is planned, a recent kidney function (creatinine) report; without one, the test can be done at the centre before the scan
• An adult to take you home, if sedation is planned

What happens during the MRI?

Is AV Scan's MRI an open MRI?

No. Our Fujifilm ECHELON Smart MRI is a closed scanner with a wide bore: a lit tunnel that is open at both ends, with room around your shoulders and face. It is not an open MRI. You lie inside the tunnel with music, ear protection and a call bell, and a team member talks to you between the parts of the scan.

I am claustrophobic. Can I still have an MRI?

Often, yes: the wide bore, the music and a team member talking to you help many people through. Tell us when you book, so the team can plan your scan. Between sequences you are told roughly how long the next part lasts, and many people find it easier to close their eyes before the table moves in.

If you are still very anxious, sedation is available, given by an anaesthesiologist. Do not take a sleeping or anxiety tablet before the scan unless your own doctor has prescribed it for this purpose; if you do take one, tell us, and do not drive yourself home.

Can someone stay with me during the scan?

Yes. A family member or caregiver may come with you, and can stay in the scanner room once they have been through the same metal check as you.

What if I could not finish an MRI before?

Say so when you book, and tell us what made it difficult, so the team can plan your scan with that in mind. If you are still very anxious, sedation by an anaesthesiologist can be planned for the new scan, with the sedation rules above.

Will I need a contrast injection, and is it safe?

Most brain, spine and joint MRIs need no contrast. A gadolinium contrast injection may be added for some scans, for example to assess a tumour, infection or inflammation; it is different from the iodine dye used for CT. Reactions are uncommon and usually mild, such as nausea, itching or a rash. [2]

A recent kidney function (creatinine) report may be requested, and the test can be done at the centre if needed. If your kidneys work poorly or you are on dialysis, the radiologist decides whether contrast is needed, because of a rare complication in people with severe kidney disease. Mention asthma, allergies and any past reaction to contrast. Tiny amounts of gadolinium can stay in the body for a long time; no harm from this has been shown in people with normal kidney function, and contrast is given only when it adds useful information.

The bowel-relaxing injection

An antispasmodic injection to relax the bowel is sometimes used for MRCP or pelvic MRI. It can cause a dry mouth, a fast heartbeat and blurred vision for a short time, so do not drive until your vision is clear. Tell us if you have glaucoma, heart disease or heart rhythm problems, myasthenia gravis, or prostate or urine-flow problems.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are, or might be, pregnant, tell us before booking. MRI without contrast can be done in pregnancy when your doctor feels the information is needed now; gadolinium contrast is generally avoided unless it is essential. Breastfeeding does not usually need to stop after MRI contrast. [2]

When can I go home, and when is my report ready?

When should I get help after an MRI?

• Tell the team at once if you feel unwell, itchy or breathless after a contrast injection.
• After the bowel-relaxing injection, seek urgent medical help if you develop a painful red eye, or blurred vision that does not clear within a few hours.
• If a tattoo or permanent make-up feels warm or tingles during the scan, press the call bell straight away.