MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging

UW MEDICINE | PATIENT EDUCATION
|| MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

|| How to prepare and what to expect
This handout explains magnetic resonance imaging, how to prepare for
the scan, what to expect, and how to get your results.
What is MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a way to take pictures of your
internal organs and tissues. It uses radio waves and a strong magnet
DRAFT
to provide clear and detailed pictures. Even different types of tissue
within the same organ can easily be seen in an MRI image.
MRI will help your healthcare provider decide which treatment is
best for your health condition.
How does the scan work?

An MRI scan usually involves taking at least 5 sets of pictures. Each
set takes 2 to 15 minutes. Each set shows a cross-section of the
body part.
For Your Safety

Health Review
We need to know about
certain health conditions
before giving you an MRI
scan. Please tell us if you:
• Have any problems with
your liver or kidneys
• Need a liver or kidney
transplant
• Are on dialysis
You will lie on a sliding table for your
• Have allergies to any drugs scan. An MRI technologist will help
or contrast (X-ray dye) you get into position.
• Have had any surgeries
• Are pregnant or may be pregnant
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Page 1 of 4 | MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
UWMC Imaging Services | Box 357115
1959 N.E. Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195 | 206.598.6200
Screening for Metal
We also need to know if you have any metal in or on your body
before we give you an MRI scan. The strong MRI magnet will pull
on any ferromagnetic object, such as iron and some other metals.
If you have any metal on or in your body, an MRI can harm you.
Even small amounts that do not harm your body can distort the
MRI image.
Please tell MRI staff if you have:
• Aneurysm clips, a heart pacemaker (or artificial heart valve), an
implanted port, an infusion catheter (with brand names such as
Port-o-cath, Infusaport, or Lifeport), an intrauterine device
DRAFT
(IUD), any metal plates, clips, pins, screws, or surgical staples, a
prosthetic hip, or any implanted metal object in your body
Most times, surgical staples, clips, plates, pins, and screws are not a
risk during MRI if they have been in place for more than 4 to 6 weeks.
If there is any question, we may do an X-ray to check for metal
fragments.
• Tattoos or permanent eyeliner
• Medicine patches
• A bullet or shrapnel in your body
• Ever worked with metal
• Tooth fillings or braces
Dental work is not usually affected by the MRI, but fillings and
braces may distort pictures of the face or brain.
Please also remove any other items that might contain metal.
These include:
• Hairpins
• Jewelry
• Glasses, hearing aids, and any removable dental work
How do I prepare?
Please talk with your referring provider if you have any concerns
about managing pain or anxiety during your MRI scan.
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How is the scan done?
• You must change into a hospital gown before your scan. We will
give you a gown when you arrive in the MRI department.
• You will lie on a sliding table. The MRI technologist will help you
get into position.
• The technologist will slide the table inside the MRI unit and then
leave the room to take the MRI pictures.
• You will be able to talk with the technologist at any time using
an intercom.
• The entire scan usually takes 15 to 45 minutes. Some studies
may take longer.
DRAFT
• You will be asked to stay very still while the MRI pictures are
taken to avoid blurring the images. You will need to hold still for
only a few seconds to a few minutes at a time.
• Sometimes an injection of contrast (dye) is given halfway
through the scan to make some tissues or blood vessels easier to
see. If you have contrast, it will be injected through an
intravenous (IV) line in an arm or hand vein.
• After the scan, you will be asked to wait until the pictures are
checked for quality. More pictures will be taken if needed.
What will I feel during the MRI scan?

• MRI does not cause pain.
• Some patients may feel confined or uneasy (claustrophobic) when
they are inside the MRI unit. Please tell the doctor who referred
you for the MRI if you are claustrophobic. You may receive
medicine to help you relax.
• You may feel warmth in the area where the pictures are taken.
This is normal, but if it bothers you, tell the MRI technologist.
• If a contrast injection is needed, you may feel discomfort or
coolness at the injection site.
• For some patients, the loud tapping or knocking noises at certain
times of the scan may be annoying. We will provide you with
earplugs and headphones for music.
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After the Scan
If you received IV contrast: Drink plenty of fluids the rest of the
day. This will help flush the contrast out of your body. Try to drink
6 to 8 glasses of fluid.
Who interprets the results and how do I get them?

A radiologist skilled in MRI will review and interpret your MRI
images. The radiologist will not talk with you about the results, but
will send a report to your primary care or referring provider. This
provider will give you the results.
You and your provider will then decide the next step, such as
treatment for a problem, as needed.
You may also read your results on your eCare Results page. If you
need copies of your images on disc, call 206.598.6206.
Questions?
Your questions are important.
Call your doctor or healthcare
provider if you have questions
or concerns.
 UWMC Imaging Services:
206.598.6200
 Harborview Imaging
Services: 206.744.3105
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
© University of Washington Medical Center
Published PFES: 2004, 2010, 2015, 2020
Clinician Review: 03/2020 UWMC Imaging Services | Box 357115
Reprints on Health Online: https://healthonline.washington.edu 1959 N.E. Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195 | 206.598.6200

MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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UW MEDICINE | PATIENT EDUCATION

|| MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

How does the scan work?

For Your Safety

What will I feel during the MRI scan?

Who interprets the results and how do I get them?

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