MRI Scans

Summary

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet and radio waves to look at organs and structures inside your body. Health care professionals use MRI scans to diagnose a variety of conditions, from torn ligaments to tumors. MRIs are very useful for examining the brain and spinal cord.

During the scan, you lie on a table that slides inside a tunnel-shaped machine. Doing the scan can take a long time, and you must stay still. The scan is painless. The MRI machine makes a lot of noise. The technician may offer you earplugs.

Before you get a scan, tell your doctor if you :

• Are pregnant
• Have pieces of metal in your body. You might have metal in your body if you have a shrapnel or bullet injury or if you are a welder.
• Have metal or electronic devices in your body, such as a cardiac pacemaker or a metal artificial joint

Patient Handouts

• Abdominal MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Arm MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Chest MRI Medical Encyclopedia
• Head MRI Medical Encyclopedia
• Heart MRI Medical Encyclopedia
• Leg MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Lumbar MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• MRI and low back pain Medical Encyclopedia
• Pelvis MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• American College of Radiology Accredited Facility Search American College of Radiology
• Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration
• RadiologyInfo Radiological Society of North America

Specifics

• Body MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Radiological Society of North America
• Breast MRI Radiological Society of North America
• Chest MRI Radiological Society of North America
• Head MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Radiological Society of North America
• Heart Tests National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Knee MRI Radiological Society of North America
• Magnetic Resonance (MR) Defecography Radiological Society of North America
• Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) Radiological Society of North America
• Magnetic Resonance, Functional (fMRI) — Brain Radiological Society of North America
• MR Angiography (MRA) Radiological Society of North America
• MR Enterography Radiological Society of North America
• Musculoskeletal MRI Radiological Society of North America
• Pelvic Floor MRI Radiological Society of North America
• Prostate MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Radiological Society of North America
• Shoulder MRI Radiological Society of North America
• Spine MRI Radiological Society of North America
• Tests for Lung Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Urography Radiological Society of North America

Statistics and Research

• Brain Scans Offer Insights into Loss of Money Skills National Institute on Aging

Encyclopedia

• Breast MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Cervical MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Knee MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Magnetic resonance angiography Medical Encyclopedia
• MRI Medical Encyclopedia
• Shoulder MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Magnetic Resonance Imaging National Institutes of Health

Related Issues

• Contrast Materials Radiological Society of North America
• How to Read Your Radiology Report Radiological Society of North America
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Safety Radiological Society of North America
• MRI: Is Gadolinium Safe for People with Kidney Problems? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Videos and Tutorials

• Getting an MRI (For Kids) Nemours Foundation
• Your Radiologist Explains Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) Radiological Society of North America

Children

• Keeping Kids Still during Exams American Society of Radiologic Technologists
• Pediatric MRI Radiological Society of North America

Start Here

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) American Academy of Family Physicians
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Food and Drug Administration

Women

• MRI Safety during Pregnancy Radiological Society of North America

Journal Articles

• MRI Scans