MRI Participants

Preparing for your MRI

Participants will be required to fill out an MRI screening form prior to their MRI scan. Since the MRI scanner uses strong magnetic fields certain metallic materials within or on your body may present a health hazard. The Participant should inform the MRI technologist if any of the following items are present: pacemaker, neurostimulator, ear implants, aneurysm clips, stents, intrauterine device (IUD), retained bullets, metal fragments, implanted port device and any other metal objects implanted in the body.

The Day of your MRI:

Participants should wear lose fitting cotton clothing without zippers, metal grommets, buttons, hooks, belts, or any other metallic embellishments. To assure safety, a Participant may be asked to change into a facility-provided medical gown. The MRI Technologist will ask participants to remove any metallic accessories such as jewelry, hairpins, glasses, watch, cell phone, hearing aids, wigs with metal clips, and dentures. These items can be safely secured in a locker provided by the facility. Additionally, Participants should avoid wearing eye makeup, applying hair gel, and drinking coffee prior to the procedure as these could interfere with the data collected from the MRI scan.

The MRI Procedure:

The duration of the MRI procedure will vary, but the average time is about 45 minutes to an hour. Participants will be given earplugs and/or headphones to muffle the loud noises that the MRI makes. These noises are normal sounds generated by the MRI scanner. The MRI Technologist will provide participants with an emergency call bell that can be used during the procedure. The Participant will be asked to lie on the MRI table that will elevate and advance them into the MRI cylinder. The MRI technologist will be able to communicate with the Participants, and will visually monitor Participants, during the scanning procedure.