Purpose
Magnetic Resonance provides exquisite and detailed examination of the brain, skull base and intracranial contents, using magnetism and radio waves rather than X-rays. It is more sensitive than CT scanning for abnormalities of the brain. It is the optimum investigation for almost all clinical indications except in certain instances such as trauma, the severely ill or uncooperative patient. We do special Brain scans namely MRA, MRV, Brain with Epilepsy protocol, FIESTA and MRI spectroscopy (MRS)
Preparation
No specific preparation is required. However as you are placed in a strong magnetic field, patients with pace makers, aneurysm clips or ferromagnetic metallic objects must advise the MRI staff when making your booking. Stainless steel / titanium orthopaedic prostheses are, however, not a contra-indication. As you are placed in a tubular gantry, you may experience claustrophobia but our dedicated staff have protocols and techniques to overcome this. It is very important that you remain still and are comfortable in the scanner and therefore intravenous sedation is sometimes required. This is booked, the anaesthetist with help from our radiology team will book the patient.
Small children may require conscious sedation administered by an anaethetist. Our MRI staff will ensure the full procedure and details are explained to you when making the booking. You will be advised not to feed nor to take any fluid at least 6 hours to the scan time for easy and effective administration of anaesthesia.
Procedure
You will be required to lie on a table with your head placed in a brace-like support. The table will then move into a wide-bore tubular gantry, which is open at both ends. During the examination you will be in constant voice contact with the Radiographer. If sedation is used your pulse and oxygen saturation levels will be monitored with a pulse oximeter. This is a small clip attached to your finger. During the examination, a relatively loud knocking noise may be heard, but this is normal. You may experience vibrations during part of the studies. The examination is entirely painless and usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes.
Our radiology team will explain the procedures over and over again before taking you for the scan.
After Procedure
There are no post-procedure side effects and you may continue normal activity. However, if sedation was used, you will be observed within the facility for at least 15 minutes. You will be instructed not to drive after the examination. The radiology team together with the anaesthetist will advice you on what to do and what not to after sedation.