Inside "Detection and Diagnosis":

@CancerQuest on Twitter:

Related to this page:

Test your knowledge on Detection and Diagnosis

Was this page helpful? | What did you like most? How can we make it better?

CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer Detection and Diagnosis > Introduction to MRI > MRI: What to Expect

MRI: What to Expect

During an MRI exam, the patient is placed on a table that rolls into the MRI unit. During the exam, the radiologist and technologist will leave the MRI room and observe from an adjoining room.⁽¹⁾

An exam usually consists of two to six imaging "sequences", with each sequence lasting less than fifteen minutes. Depending on the type of image needed, patients undergo a number of scans to obtain images from different angles and viewpoints. One session of magnetic resonance imaging can produce hundreds of images of the body; side to side, top to bottom, and front to back.⁽²⁾ When the images are combined by the computer, a detailed picture is created that allows the radiologist to see areas inside the body.

In some cases, a physician may decide to use a contrast agent known as gadolinium DTPA to help enhance the image quality of the MRI scan. This non-radioactive contrast agent improves the strength and clarity of the images by emphasizing the tumor-like qualities of any suspicious masses.^{(3) (4)} Ask your doctor about side effects of the gadolinium-based contrast material if you have kidney problems.

If a contrasting agent is used, an intravenous (IV) line will be inserted into the patient's hand or arm, which will allow the radiologist to inject the contrasting substance directly into the patient's body at the appropriate time. The contrasting agent often creates a cooling sensation at the site of injection and throughout the body. The patient may also experience some discomfort at the injection site.⁽¹⁾

References for this page:

1. "MRI of the Body (Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis)." Radiology Info (accessed on 01-27-08) [http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodymr&bhcp=1]
2. Margolis D., MD, Hoffman J., MD, Herfkens R., MD, Jeffrey R., MD, Quon A., MD, and Gambhir S., MD, PhD . "Molecular imaging techniques in body imaging." Radiology. 2007 Nov;245(2):333-56. [PUBMED]
3. Bellin, MF. "MR contrast agents, the old and the new." European Journal of Radiology. 2006 Dec;60(3):314-23. [PUBMED]
4. Barentsz J, Takahashi S, Oyen W, Mus R, De Mulder P, Reznek R, Oudkerk M, and Mali W. "Commonly used imaging techniques for diagnosis and staging." Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2006 Jul 10;24(20):3234-44. [PUBMED]