MRI Exam Preparation
There’s no special preparation necessary for the MRI examination. Unless the booking clerk specifically requests that you not eat or drink anything before the exam, there are no food or drink restrictions. Continue to take any medication prescribed by your doctor unless otherwise directed.
You won’t be allowed to wear anything metallic during the MRI examination, so it would be best to leave watches, jewelry or anything made from metal at home. Even some cosmetics contain small amounts of metals, so it is best to not wear make-up. There is a safe place to lock up valuables if you can’t leave them at home.
In order to prevent metallic objects from being attracted by the powerful magnet of the MR system, you will be given scrubs to change into for your examination. Items that need to be removed by patients before entering the MR system room include:
You won’t be allowed to wear anything metallic during the MRI examination, so it would be best to leave watches, jewelry or anything made from metal at home. Even some cosmetics contain small amounts of metals, so it is best to not wear make-up. There is a safe place to lock up valuables if you can’t leave them at home.
In order to prevent metallic objects from being attracted by the powerful magnet of the MR system, you will be given scrubs to change into for your examination. Items that need to be removed by patients before entering the MR system room include:
- Purse, wallet, money clip, credit cards, cards with magnetic strips
- Electronic devices such as beepers or cell phones
- Hearing aids
- Metal jewelry, watches
- Pens, paper clips, keys, coins
- Hair barrettes, hairpins
- Any article of clothing that has a metal zipper, buttons, snaps, hooks, underwires, or metal threads
- Shoes, belt buckles, safety pins
Before the MRI procedure, you will be asked to fill out a screening form asking about anything that might create a health risk or interfere with imaging. You will also undergo an interview by a technologist to ensure that you understand the questions on the form. Even if you have undergone an MRI procedure before at this or another facility, you will still be asked to complete an MRI screening form.
Examples of items or things that may create a health hazard or other problem during an MRI exam include:
Examples of items or things that may create a health hazard or other problem during an MRI exam include:
- Pacemaker
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
- Neurostimulator
- Aneurysm clip
- Metal implant
- Implanted drug infusion device
- Foreign metal objects, especially if in or near the eye
- Shrapnel or bullet wounds
- Permanent cosmetics or tattoos
- Dentures/teeth with magnetic keepers
- Other implants that involve magnets
- Medication patch (i.e., transdermal patch) that contains metal foil
Check with the MRI technologist if you have questions or concerns about any implanted object or health condition that could impact the MRI procedure. This is particularly important if you have undergone surgery involving the brain, ear, eye, heart, or blood vessels.
Important Note: If you are pregnant or think that you could be pregnant, you must notify your physician and the technologist prior to the MRI procedure.
Important Note: If you are pregnant or think that you could be pregnant, you must notify your physician and the technologist prior to the MRI procedure.
