Mri???????????

Question

Well is am 13, and tomorrow i am going to have an MRI with Contrast!!! Could some please explain what they are going to do to me????????????

Answer 1

Hi sweetie! I know your scared. I was too. I just had my first one done last week. I am a cancer patient. Really, there is nothing to it. Just make sure you take off your jewelry and don't wear any clothes with zippers or buttons on them. It takes about 45 minutes to do. They will not put the contrast in until about the last 15 minutes. They gave me mine in the form of a shot in the arm. I did not feel a thing. The machine is very loud. They will ask you if you would like to listen to music...I said no at first, but before they got started...I changed my mind. You may want to listen to music to keep your mind off the noise. The machine is a tube that is fairly open. You lie on a bed that takes you into the tub. The only problem that I had was...I found out that I am very clostophobic...I do not like to be enclosed. I was ok...initially, until they put the plastic open cover piece over my head. Just try and relax and lay still. You won't feel a thing...I promise.

Answer 2

'MRI' stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. During an MRI scan many pictures are taken in 'slices' of a part of the body, or sometimes even of the whole body. You need to lie very still inside a large MRI machine to have an MRI scan done.
Not always, but sometimes, it is helpful to have a contrast injection. 'Contrast' can make the scan more useful in some instances because it shows up blood vessels more clearly. Contrast is a clear fluid and is given through a small IV drip (ie a small needle). If you are already in hospital and already has a drip staff can usually use this drip. Then, you won’t need another injection.

The type and dose of contrast used depends on the reason for the scan and your age and weight. Usually it takes about 3 minutes to give the contrast medicine. It will not make you feel sleepy.
Side effects are not common and are usually very mild. They include:

About 2 to 4 children in 100 get a headache or feel unwell (nauseous) or dizzy after having contrast. This usually gets better by itself quickly.
Very few children (less than 1 child in 100) might get some other reactions. For example:
About 1 child in 1,000 might get a rash or hives or an irritated mouth or throat. Sometimes these children might need to stay in the hospital a few hours longer and may need some extra medicine (eg anti-histamines).
Very rarely your child may have a serious and life-threatening reaction and will need to be admitted to hospital for treatment.

Answer 3

The MRI device is located within a specially shielded room (Faraday cage) to avoid outside interference, caused by the use of radio waves very close in frequency to those of ordinary FM radio stations.
The MRI procedure can easily be performed through clothing and bones, but attention must be paid to ferromagnetic items, because they will be attracted from the magnetic field. A hospital gown is appropriate, or the patient should wear clothing without metal fasteners and remove any metallic objects like hairpins, jewelry, eyeglasses, clocks, hearing aids, any removable dental work, lighters, coins etc., not only for MRI safety reasons. Metal in or around the scanned area can also cause errors in the reconstructed images (artifacts). Because the strong magnetic field can displace, or disrupt metallic objects, people with an implanted active device like a cardiac pacemaker cannot be scanned under normal circumstances and should not enter the MRI area.
The MRI machine can look like a short tunnel or has an open MRI design and the magnet does not completely surround the patient. Usually the patient lies on a comfortable motorized table, which slides into the scanner, depending on the MRI device, patients may be also able to sit up. If a contrast agent is to be administered, intravenous access will be placed. A technologist will operate the MRI machine and observe the patient during the examination from an adjacent room. Several sets of images are usually required, each taking some minutes. A typical MRI scan includes three to nine imaging sequences and may take up to one hour. Improved MRI devices with powerful magnets, newer software, and advanced sequences may complete the process in less time and better image quality.
Before and after the most MRI procedures no special preparation, diet, reduced activity, and extra medication is necessary. The magnetic field and radio waves are not felt and no pain is to expect.
Movement can blur MRI images and cause certain artifacts. A possible problem is the claustrophobia that some patients experience from being inside a tunnel-like scanner. If someone is very anxious or has difficulty to lie still, a sedative agent may be given. Earplugs and/or headphones are usually given to the patient to reduce the loud acoustic noise, which the machine produces during normal operation. A technologist observes the patient during the procedure. Some MRI scanners are equipped with televisions and music to help the examination time pass.
MRI is not a cheap examination, however cost effective by eliminating the need for invasive radiographic procedures, biopsies, and exploratory surgery. MRI scans can also save money while minimizing patient risk and discomfort. For example, MRI can reduce the need for X-ray angiography and myelography, and can eliminate unnecessary diagnostic procedures that miss occult disease.

Answer 4

It looks like you got a lot of information here but I'll simplify it for you. The tech will bring you back to the changing room he or she will have you remove all clothing and earrings and rings. They will ask you a lot of questions about what is going on with you and they will weigh you. They will start an IV in your arm. THere is usually a nurse there to do that but techs can do this also. It just feels like a bee sting and will be over pretty quickly. they will hook you up to an injector that will have a syringe full of contrast in it. The contrast will probably be clear like water and you won't feel a thing. The MRI will be noisy and will probably take about an hour. You will have to lie perfectly still for that entire time. It will be over before you know it. Sometimes they can put a cool washrag over your eyes if you feel anxious. Best of luck to you!!

Answer 5

Looks like a lot of the responses are taken directly from the internet without explaining in terms you can understand. I've had a couple of them for an injured foot and as a diagnostic tool for breast cancer.

You will get an injection of some medicine that will make your organs show up better, you may get a slight buzz or have a strange taste in your mouth.

MRI machines are very noisy and you will be given earplugs. The whole process takes a while and you have to keep very still, but you will be in constant communication with the technician doing the tests so if you need a break you can let them know.

If you are really nervous and have trouble keeping still, they can give you some medicine to help you relax. With very little kids they sometimes give them something to make them sleep.

Answer 6

Hi amber you will be poped into a gown (bring a dressing gown with you to cover your behind :) )you will lay on a couch that will move in and out of a giant polo mint with a small hole in the middle , you will move backwards and forwards (your head will go out the polo mint sometimes) staff will give you ear phones to listen to music but staff will be able to talk to you and you will be able to talk to them. After about 15 to 20 minutes they may pop a very small needle into the back of your hand (stings a tiny bit but stops straight away) they will put a small amount of solution through the needle which helps different tissues in the body to show up on the scans. they will then take some more pictures for about 5 mins. You will need to remove all jewelry including any body peircings, although it seems a bit scary, staff are usually excellent and understand how people can be anxious when having this done. You should get your results within a week . Best of luck

Answer 7

an mri is like an xray , except it takes a bit longer. it is totally painless , if you are getting contrast the only thing you will feel is the iv needle going in . its like a pinch and then its over. i hope your tests come out fine .........god bless you

Answer 8

Contrast just means they are going to give you and iv with a liquid in it to mix with the barium(which you will probably have to drink before the test) to make the internal organs more visible.

Answer 9

i dont know but im 13 and been 13 for like three months now and i dont know nothing about an MRI

Answer 10

an MRI is just a type of xray. you'll be fine. chill out.