| My wife recently had cause to have a Magnetic | | | | the case, however, a hangover is not recommended. |
| Resonance Imaging examination (MRI) of the head, | | | | 2) DO advise the radiologist if you have allergies. if |
| which resulted in the detection and successful | | | | contrast material is to be administered they will wnt |
| removal of a non-cancerous meningioma and I was | | | | to know. |
| amazed at how this testing works and how detailed | | | | 3) DO advise the radiologist if you are pregnant or |
| it can be. | | | | suspect you may be. |
| Detailed MR images allow physicians to better | | | | 4) DO take with you your own favourite CD or you |
| evaluate parts of the body and certain diseases that | | | | may find yourself listening to something so boring it |
| may not be assessed adequately with other imaging | | | | makes the time go even slower. Hint: Rock and Roll |
| methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or computed | | | | or Saturday Night Fever is not conducive to remaining |
| tomography (also called CT or CAT scanning). | | | | as still as possible. |
| MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and | | | | 5) DO leave all jewellery at home as it interferes with |
| uses magnetism instead of x-rays to build a detailed | | | | the magnetic field of the MRI unit. |
| picture of your head. My wife advised that it is in no | | | | 6) DO relax and try to stay as still as possible. The |
| way painful and the only discomfort is in the fact | | | | tenser you are the more difficult this is and you may |
| that you will be asked to lie very still for what will | | | | end up suffering cramp and having to go through it all |
| appear to you to be a long period of time, anywhere | | | | again. |
| between 25 and 45 minutes. | | | | DON'TS |
| What appears to make some people apprehensive | | | | 1) DON'T put any type of hair pin or clip in your hair. |
| is:a) A feeling of confinement or claustrophobia.b) | | | | 2) DON'T sneak your hearing aid in to listen to that |
| Normally you will be in the room all alone.c) The | | | | CD I have just told you to bring along - Not allowed. |
| noises from the equipment i.e. a succession of clicks | | | | Hearing aids will also interfere and are not allowed. |
| and bangs.d) Drinking a small amount of contrast | | | | 3) DON'T dress up because MRI examinations give |
| material or taking an injection intravenously. | | | | you the opportunity to try out the latest creation in |
| None of these matters need to be a worry as long | | | | hospital gowns together with your best underwear. |
| as you know about them before hand: The MRI unit | | | | Thongs are not recommended for males or females! |
| is positioned pretty close to your body, you will be | | | | 4) DON'T forget to leave all removable dental work |
| alone when the unit is active or everyone would | | | | at home. |
| have to abide by the strict restrictions connected | | | | 5) DON'T fidget - it will be over before you know it. |
| with the MRI unit. The noises only appear loud | | | | 6) DON'T whine if you are a grown up - be brave - |
| because you are alone and they are not scary and | | | | there might be a 5 year old waiting his turn outside. |
| the contrast allows the radiologist to have a clearer, | | | | It is important that you remain perfectly still while the |
| more defined image. | | | | images are being recorded, which is typically only a |
| Like everything else - we fear the unknown. You are | | | | few seconds to a few minutes at a time. Tapping |
| not really alone during the Magnetic Resonance | | | | and knocking sounds will be heard when images are |
| Imaging examination because your progress will be | | | | being recorded. You will be able to relax briefly |
| monitored by a technician throughout the examination | | | | between imaging sequences. |
| and they will be able to hear and see you. There is | | | | The benefit of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| also a two way intercom and therefore if you speak | | | | examination is that this technique is non-invasive and |
| you can attract attention. | | | | does not involve any exposure to radiation. Where |
| Do's and Don'ts for MRI Examinations | | | | brain tumours are concerned the MR images are the |
| DO'S: | | | | most sensitive examination method as they are |
| 1) DO ask if you are ok to follow your regular eating | | | | usually clearer and more detailed. |
| and drinking routine prior to the exam - this is usually | | | | |