In some cases, the procedure may be as quick as 15 minutes. An MRI of your head can help identify conditions affecting your brain. The scan typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Some procedures like the limited brain MRI only take about 5 minutes. An MRI of your lumbar spine can potentially help identify causes of back pain and conditions involving your spinal cord. A spinal scan takes about 30 to 60 minutes. If a contrast die is needed, the procedure may take 45 to 80 minutes.
According to a study , an MRI of your cervical spine can be as quick as 20 minutes. Typically, they take about 30 to 45 minutes. A plastic coil may be placed at the top of your neck to help produce a clearer picture. An abdominal MRI generally takes about 30 to 90 minutes.
In some cases, it may take up to about 2 hours. Abdominal MRIs are used for a variety of reasons, such as examining:. A hip MRI generally takes around 45 minutes.
The majority of MRIs for hip pain take roughly 30 to 60 minutes. In some cases, it can take up to 1 hour. A pelvic MRI generally takes about 30 to 60 minutes. If many pictures are needed, the procedure may take longer. A chest MRI typically takes less than 90 minutes. You may need a chest scan if you have an injury or suspected condition in your chest area.
In some cases, you may have a contrast dye injected into your arm via an intravenous IV before your procedure. If you require contrast dye, your procedure may take up to 90 minutes. The amount of time it takes to get your MRI results depends on factors like the hospital or clinic you visit and the seriousness of your condition. Generally, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks to get your results, according to the National Health Service. Your doctor or healthcare professional may ask you to avoid eating or drinking up to 4 hours before your MRI scan , according to the National Health Service.
You may also be given a sedative or contrast dye through an IV before your procedure. A coil may be placed over the part of your body being scanned to help produce a clearer image. Each scan may take from seconds to about 4 minutes, according to the National Health Service.
The radiographer may ask you to hold your breath during some shorter scans. You will typically be asked to change into a gown and to remove things that might affect the magnetic imaging, such as:.
The MRI machine looks like a long narrow tube that has both ends open. You lie down on a movable table that slides into the opening of the tube. A technologist monitors you from another room. You can talk with the person by microphone. If you have a fear of enclosed spaces claustrophobia , you might be given a drug to help you feel sleepy and less anxious.
Most people get through the exam without difficulty. The MRI machine creates a strong magnetic field around you, and radio waves are directed at your body. The procedure is painless. You don't feel the magnetic field or radio waves, and there are no moving parts around you. During the MRI scan, the internal part of the magnet produces repetitive tapping, thumping and other noises.
You might be given earplugs or have music playing to help block the noise. In some cases, a contrast material, typically gadolinium, will be injected through an intravenous IV line into a vein in your hand or arm.
The contrast material enhances certain details. Gadolinium rarely causes allergic reactions. An MRI can last anywhere from 15 minutes to more than an hour. You must hold still because movement can blur the resulting images. During a functional MRI , you might be asked to perform a number of small tasks — such as tapping your thumb against your fingers, rubbing a block of sandpaper or answering simple questions. This helps pinpoint the portions of your brain that control these actions.
A doctor specially trained to interpret MRI s radiologist will analyze the images from your scan and report the findings to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss important findings and next steps with you. An MRI is a very useful tool for helping your doctors see images of the inside of your body, including tissue that can't be seen on a conventional x-ray.
Before your exam, it's very important to fill out the safety screening form carefully. MRI is safe and painless. But metal in the scanner can cause serious safety problems or reduce the quality of the images.
Your health care team needs to know about any metal in your body, even a small shard of metal from an accident. Fillings, bridges, and other dental work typically do not pose a problem. But other metal that has been put into your body might prevent you from having an MRI. That includes some pacemakers, clips for treating aneurysms, and other devices with metal in them.
A nurse may review your health history before your exam. You may be given medications or contrast dye or have blood drawn. Be sure to tell the nurse if you're pregnant, have an allergy to contrast dye, or have kidney or liver problems. You may not wear clothing with snaps or zippers in the scanner.
You will be asked to wear a gown. Do not wear any jewelry or bring anything metal into the scanner, including a hearing aid. An MRI machine uses a powerful magnet to make images of your body. Unlike a CT scan, it does not use x-rays or other radiation. You will be given earplugs. The scanner makes a loud noise when it's operating. A device called a coil may be put on or around the area to be scanned to help capture the images. You will also be given a squeeze ball to hold. You can use this to signal the technologist any time you need something.
A brain MRI may evaluate or detect:. A breast MRI allows a closer look at the breasts and surrounding tissue, without using radiation. A breast MRI helps your provider:. This exam generates pictures of the area of the spine located in the neck. A cervical MRI may evaluate or detect:. Your provider will closely examine the bones, tendons blood vessels and muscles in the shoulder joint. A shoulder MRI may evaluate or detect:. During an MRI exam, hundreds of images—or slices—are recorded from several directions to be pieced together.
Each image takes a few seconds to record. While an MRI exam is safe and painless, patients who are claustrophobic may feel anxious at the thought of spending a half hour or more in an enclosed space. Patients who choose an advanced open MRI can feel relaxed and comfortable during their screening.
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