An MRI study may last 20 to 60 minutes or more depending on the body part(s) being imaged.
You will be positioned lying down on your back or stomach on a movable table which will bring the body part(s) of interest into the center of the magnet. Small devices that contain coils capable of sending and receiving radio waves may be placed around or adjacent to the area of the body being studied to optimize the image quality. The technologist will then leave the room to perform the examination, but he will at all times supervising the examination through a transparent window. There are microphones and speakers within the MRI scanner and you may speak to the technologist at any time if you have any concerns.
During the MR exam you will hear relatively loud knocking sounds and noise in the form of humming and buzzing sounds. This is a normal and expected part of the operation of the MRI scanner. It will not prevent the technologist from hearing you if you happen to have questions and concerns during the procedure. You may choose to wear ear plugs to dampen the sound, or you may ask the technologist for an MRI-compatible headset to listen to music or the radio.
If you have claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you may want to ask your physician for a prescription for a mild sedative. The sedative must be obtained prior to presenting at the clinic since our staff is not authorized to prescribe these medications to you.
Our MRI studies are performed on Philips 1.5 Tesla magnet which can accommodate up to 320 pounds or 145 kg.
The cost of an MRI examination is not covered by RAMQ but usually covered, at least in part, by most private insurance plan. Please contact to inquire about prices for specific exams.
Ink used in tattoos may theoretically heat up during the examination, but in practice this is seldom if ever a real problem.
Dental braces may significantly distort images of the neck or brain and reduce the quality of the images, so you should notify the technologist if you wear them.
Metal and electronic objects may pose a safety risk, interfere with the magnetic fields in the MRI scanner, and may distort the images and therefore should never be brought into the MRI scanner room. All piercings and body jewelry should be removed prior to the scan. We will provide you with a locker and an MRI-compatible key to store your belonging during your study.
Although most medical metal implants are generally MRI compatible (safe), some may not be taken into the MRI room. It is imperative that you let the technologist know if you have any of the following:
• Heart pacemaker
• Implantable heart defibrillator
• Cochlear (inner ear) implant
• Clips used on brain aneurysms
• Metal of any type in your eye (usually as a result of work accidents)
These are only a few examples of implants. For your safety, please make sure you notify the technologist of ALL implants, surgical prosthesis, or other medical devices you may have had.
As a general rule, metal and electronic objects may pose a safety risk, interfere with the magnetic fields in the MRI scanner, and may distort the images and therefore should never be brought into the MRI scanner room. Watches and credit cards will be damaged by the powerful MRI magnet and should not be brought near the scanner. Hairpins, metal zippers, removable metal dental work, pens, pocketknives, eyeglasses, and any other removable metal-containing object such as earrings and piercings should also be removed prior to the scan. We will provide you with a locker and an MRI-compatible key to store your belonging during your study. If you have any questions about what you may bring into the room with you, please ask the technologist.
If you have worked with metal and might have tiny pieces of metal in your eyes, it is imperative that you notify your physician and the MRI technologist. You will have to undergo X-Rays of your orbit(s) before obtaining an MRI exam.
MRI does not use ionizing radiation (X-Rays). MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs.