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Highly detailed pictures without radiation
If you have an injury or condition, your doctor may want to see it in great detail to help diagnose the problem. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important imaging tool that creates highly detailed pictures of different parts of your body without exposing you to radiation.
If you have an injury or condition, your doctor may want to see it in great detail to help diagnose the problem. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important imaging tool that creates highly detailed pictures of different parts of your body without exposing you to radiation.
During a traditional MRI, you are positioned on a table that moves back and forth inside a big tube. In some cases, your radiologist will need to inject a small amount of harmless dye (called contrast) to make sure parts of your body show up more clearly on the images.
The MRI scanner creates a strong magnetic field around you and directs radio waves at your body. The machine makes tapping and thumping noises, but you will not feel any pain. The technologist can give you headphones with music so you don’t hear the noises, or you can bring your own music on a device.
If you’re uncomfortable being in a small, enclosed space or are very overweight, you may prefer an open MRI, which has a larger opening than a traditional MRI machine. Talk to your doctor about this preference.
You may need a specific kind of MRI to diagnose certain health conditions. MRI types include:
During a traditional MRI, you are positioned on a table that moves back and forth inside a big tube. In some cases, your radiologist will need to inject a small amount of harmless dye (called contrast) to make sure parts of your body show up more clearly on the images.
The MRI scanner creates a strong magnetic field around you and directs radio waves at your body. The machine makes tapping and thumping noises, but you will not feel any pain. The technologist can give you headphones with music so you don’t hear the noises, or you can bring your own music on a device.
If you’re uncomfortable being in a small, enclosed space or are very overweight, you may prefer an open MRI, which has a larger opening than a traditional MRI machine. Talk to your doctor about this preference.
You may need a specific kind of MRI to diagnose certain health conditions. MRI types include:
On the day of your MRI, wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid wearing jewelry or other metal, such as zippers and snaps. You may be asked to change into a gown for the exam. Be sure to let your doctor know in advance if you have a surgically implanted device such as a pacemaker or insulin pump.
An MRI usually takes 30 to 90 minutes. Your doctor will tell you how long to plan on. Your technologist will tell you when to expect the results from your MRI.
On the day of your MRI, wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid wearing jewelry or other metal, such as zippers and snaps. You may be asked to change into a gown for the exam. Be sure to let your doctor know in advance if you have a surgically implanted device such as a pacemaker or insulin pump.
An MRI usually takes 30 to 90 minutes. Your doctor will tell you how long to plan on. Your technologist will tell you when to expect the results from your MRI.
You can go back to normal activities immediately after an MRI.
You can go back to normal activities immediately after an MRI.
The American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America offers extensive information about MRI technology, how it captures highly detailed images of the inside of your body, and how it benefits both you and your physician.
The American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America offers extensive information about MRI technology, how it captures highly detailed images of the inside of your body, and how it benefits both you and your physician.