MRI Scan

An MRI scan is a painless test that uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to build very detailed images of organs and tissues inside the body. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, it does not use ionising radiation. It is often used to look at the brain, spinal cord, joints, and soft tissues that other scans show less clearly.

Doctors use MRI scans to investigate a wide range of conditions and to plan treatment. They can help diagnose problems in the brain and nerves, examine joint and spine injuries, assess organs in the abdomen and pelvis, and look at tumours or areas of inflammation. Because MRI shows soft tissue in fine detail, it often answers questions other tests cannot.

Preparation is usually simple. You can often eat and drink as normal unless told otherwise, but you must remove anything metallic, such as jewellery, watches, hairpins, and certain clothing. Most importantly, tell staff beforehand about any implants, a pacemaker, metal fragments, or if you might be pregnant, as the strong magnet can affect some devices.

You lie still on a flat bed that slides into the tunnel-shaped scanner. The machine makes loud tapping and humming noises while it works, so you will usually be offered earplugs or headphones. A scan can take from 15 to 90 minutes depending on the area examined. Sometimes a contrast dye is injected into a vein to make certain tissues show up more clearly.

After the scan you can usually go home and return to normal activities straight away unless you were sedated. A specialist doctor called a radiologist studies the images and prepares a report for the doctor who referred you. The results may confirm or rule out a diagnosis, show how an area is healing, or guide the next steps in your care, which your doctor will then discuss with you.