Patient Preparation

For MRI Scans

• Continue to take your medications prior to the MRI study.
• Patients for abdominal MRI and MRCP should not eat or drink, except for medications, for 3 hours prior to the examination.
• Please inform the staff if you have any of the following:
  a. Cardiac pacemaker, old pacemaker wires, implantable defibrillators, artificial heart valve or cardiac stents
  b. Implanted chemotherapy port or infusion catheter
  c. Intrauterine device (IUD)
  d. Brain aneurysm clips
  e. Cochlear implants
  f. Implantable insulin pumps or neurostimulators
  g. Ocular foreign bodies
  h. Metal plates, pins, screws or surgical staples
• In most cases, surgical staples, plates, pins and screws, and cardiac stents pose no risk during MRI if they have been in place for more than 6 weeks. Tattoos and permanent eyeliner must also be in place for more than six weeks. You will be asked if you have ever had a bullet or schrapnel in your body or ever worked with metal. If there is any question of metal fragments, you may be asked to have an x-ray that will detect any such metal objects. Tooth fillings and braces are usually not affected by the magnetic field but they may distort images of the facial area or brain so the radiologist must be aware of them.
• If you would like more information about the safety of a particular medical device for the MRI exam, please go to www.mrisafety.com.
• At the time of the exam, you will be asked to remove anything that might degrade MRI images, including hair clips, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any removable dental work. All watches, coins, keys, beepers, cell phones, and credit cards should be removed prior to entering the MRI suite.
• You should inform the technologist if you are pregnant.
• You may be asked about drug allergies and whether you have had surgery performed in the past.
• If you suffer from claustrophobia, please have your referring physician prescribe a mild sedative such as Xanax or Ativan to be taken prior to the exam. In this case, please have a family member or friend accompany you to the appointment in order to take you home.
• Music is available during the examination. If you prefer, bring your own tape or CD for the exam.