NSMC Salem Hospital
Musculoskeletal Center
Mass
General/North Shore
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Preparing for the exam
As a rule, no special preparation is necessary, but just in case, please check with our staff before your appointment. Also inform our staff if you may be pregnant or if you are claustrophobic. On the day of your exam you may eat and drink normally, engage in your regular activities, and take your usual prescribed medications, unless you have been instructed otherwise by our staff or your physician.
Our staff will inform you how many minutes prior to your scheduled appointment you should arrive, to allow time for a brief interview with a technical staff member who will ask about your medical history. This screening process is an important safety precaution, so please be patient if we ask the same questions more than once. For certain tests, an injection of a contrast agent may be necessary to better visualize specific anatomical structures. If this is the case, a simple injection will be given. For some patients, a blood test may need to be ordered by your physician before the use of a contrast agent. Our staff will determine if this is necessary during the scheduling process and insure this is completed before your examination.
What to expect during the exam
Before entering the exam room, you will be asked to remove metal objects, such as eyeglasses, dentures, body piercings, rings, or hairpins. Dental fillings, hip replacements, knee replacements and contact lenses are acceptable.Since some clothing contains hidden metallic components (in thread or fastenings for example), we require that patients change into examination clothing that we know has no such metallic material. The magnet can damage the coding on your credit cards and security identification cards, so please leave your purse or wallet in your
A member of our technical staff will help position you on a padded table that will slide into the scanner, which is open at both ends. A special apparatus may be placed on or around the part of your body being scanned to better focus the images. Since a patient’s movement blurs the images, you will be asked to lie still during the actual scanning process.
You will notice knocking or humming noises when the scan is underway. This is the sound of the magnetic field being adjusted to generate information about the area being examined. The exam lasts between 30-60 minutes, depending on the number and type of images your physician requested.
Your comfort during the exam
Almost 99 percent of patients referred for MRI are able to complete their exams. Even if you are uncomfortable in small spaces, our experienced technologists can suggest many techniques to help you relax. Don’t hesitate to inform them if you feel anxious. Throughout the examination, even when the technologist is not in the MRI room, he/she will be able to see and hear you and talk with you via a two-way intercom. If you need something or have a question or concern, touch the call button and the technologist will respond immediately.
We are happy to play the radio or one of your own CDs while you are having the MRI exam. We have headsets and stereo equipment for this purpose. Earplugs are used to help minimize your awareness of the knocking sounds. Some people fall asleep during their scans. You are welcome to have a family member or friend accompany you during the exam. He or she must pass the MRI screening questions.
Getting your results
Your physician will receive a written report from our board certified MRI radiologist. Please contact your doctor to review the report. The technologist will not be able to tell you the results of your test.
Caution
The strong magnetic field can adversely affect some conditions or implanted prosthetic devices. We will screen for these several times during the intake process. Please be patient if several people ask you the same questions. This screening procedure is for your safety.
Please notify us if you have any of the following:
- Surgical aneurysm clip of the brain
- Cochlear (middle ear) implant
- Metal fragments (including bullets and shrapnel) Implanted insulin pump
- Metal particles or chips in your eye
- Retinal tacks
- Any other magnetically activated biomedical device, such as a defibrillator or eye implant
- Women who are pregnant should inform the technologist of their condition
After your examSince there are no aftereffects with MRI, you may resume your normal activities immediately. However, that if you have taken any medication for anxiety, you will need a ride home.
More about MRIs in the Health Library
