Description

How to Prepare for the Test?

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.

Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your provider may also suggest an open MRI, in which the machine is not as close to your body.

Before the test, tell your provider if you have:

Artificial heart valves
Brain aneurysm clips
Heart defibrillator or pacemaker
Inner ear (cochlear) implants
Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast)
Recently placed artificial joints
Certain types of vascular stents
Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for metal pieces in your eyes)
Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner. Avoid carrying items such as:

Pocketknives, pens, and eyeglasses
Watches, credit cards, jewelry, and hearing aids
Hairpins, metal zippers, pins, and similar items
Removable dental implants