MRI

[H_Wingo3196]

What exactly happens during a brain MRI? Please be as detailed as possible!! Thanks!

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. MRI is a non-invasive test, which uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and all internal body structures. You may be asked to wear a gown, or your own clothes minus any metal fasteners. Fasting guidelines vary with the type of examination. Some MRI may require swallowing of contrast or a contrast injection if you are not allergic to contrast after skin testing and if your kidney function is all right. Any pregnancy should be brought to notice and you might need some sedative if you have claustrophobia or fear of closed spaces. Items not allowed in the room are jewellery, watches, credit cards, hearing aids, pins, dental implants, body piercings and brain aneurysm clips. Other electronic devices to be informed about are artificial heart valves, cardiac pacemaker, metal pins, screws, surgical staples. Consult a physician before you undergo an MRI scan. Hope this helps. Take care.

[ggreg]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_resonance_imaging

The above link tells you pretty much everything you didn't want to know about MRIs.  I had a brain MRI one time, I had to be sedated because I was afraid of it, they even have a little mirror in there so you can see out of it, sort of claustrophobic in the machine, and they had a microphone and radio in there so I could talk to the techs.  When the machine started up, it was VERY loud, surprised me, kind of made a bumping racket.  Also, I had a little skin cyst on the top of my head, and when it reached that spot, I could actually feel a sensation of water boiling in that spot, wierded me out.  I was SO glad to get out of there.  The results were I was normal, which I fully expected.  

I still don't know why they did that, because it was my spine that was goofed up and quite painful.  So, the next step was to do an "open" MRI, which instead of putting you in a tiny cave like my head scan, they put you on a big table with a supposedly less claustrophobic tunnel, in order to check my spine.  But when I got on the table and they latched in a plastic grate over my chest, my panic disorder kicked in, so I simply asked them if I wanted to get unlatched and climb out of the machine, how would I do that.  They did not understand my anxiety problems and would not tell me.  So, I never got that one done.  

So, those would be the total experiences I had with an MRI.  Next time I have to do a scan, I'll request a CT scan instead, which I've had a few of those in the past, because they are not claustrophobic.  Lots of people have trouble with the MRI, which is why they sedate you in an effort to overcome feelings many people naturally have.  It's just they didn't take into account my panic disorder.  And some people have no problems with it whatsoever.  Also, all scans are rather expensive, even after insurance pays their share.