For full visibility into your internal soft tissues and structures, your doctor might refer you for an MRI scan. Some MRIs include the use of a contrast agent. This post will explain what an MRI with contrast is, what it shows, how to prepare for one, and how to understand your results.<\/p>\n
After an MRI with contrast, your doctor will share your official diagnosis and treatment plan at your follow-up appointment. But with PocketHealth<\/a>, you can have secure, early access to your MRI images and report, so you can attend your follow-up fully informed and prepared to advocate for yourself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n Magnetic resonance imaging<\/a> (MRI) is a safe, non-invasive medical imaging test which uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to capture detailed views of your internal organs and tissues.<\/p>\n The magnetic field temporarily disrupts the alignment of your body\u2019s protons, then the radio waves spin the protons back into alignment. The MRI machine analyzes the energy and time it takes for the protons to realign, then uses that data to create detailed images of your internal anatomy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some MRIs use contrast, a type of dye, to heighten any disparities. The contrast agent changes the magnetic properties of the water molecules inside your body, which improves the quality of the MRI images.<\/p>\n Whether or not your MRI will require contrast depends on what body part is being scanned and your personal health and circumstances. The contrast agent is usually derived from gadolinium, which is excreted through the kidneys. Patients with poor kidney function usually have non-contrast MRIs, as do pregnant women. Orthopedic (skeletal) MRIs often don\u2019t require the use of a contrast agent, nor do several types of brain MRI. But for many other types of MRI, a contrast agent significantly increases image clarity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The contrast agent brightens the appearance of targeted tissues during an MRI, providing doctors with more detail about the desired areas. Not every MRI requires the use of a contrast agent, but some do, including MRIs for:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MRIs capture clear and detailed images of soft tissues. They\u2019re often used to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries in the ligaments, muscles, organs and tendons, as well as:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve arrived and checked into the clinic, you\u2019ll be asked to remove any jewelry and metal and change into a hospital gown. If you would like a sedative, this is also when you\u2019ll receive it. Then, the contrast material will be administered, usually by IV but possibly by mouth as pills or an oral solution.<\/p>\n The MRI machine is a large round tube with a table that slides in and out. The MRI technologist will direct you on how to lie on the table according to which body part is being scanned. You have to stay very still during an MRI, so the technician might use blocks or straps to keep you perfectly positioned. You\u2019ll be given earphones through which the technician can communicate with you.<\/p>\n The exam table will slide into the machine. MRI machines are loud, banging and knocking as they work. The earphones help block some of that out and may even allow you to listen to music instead. They also allow the technician to relay any instructions, and you might be asked to shift position, or hold your breath.<\/p>\n Your MRI scan can take anywhere from 15-60 minutes, or even longer, depending on the body part being examined.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n An MRI is a safe, non-invasive scan, but there are things you can do to feel prepared<\/a> and ready for your procedure.<\/p>\n Here are a few things to do before the day of your appointment:<\/p>\n Here are some tips to help your MRI appointment proceed smoothly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your MRI technologist is not allowed to discuss the findings of your scan with you. This section outlines how your results are produced, how long it takes to get them, and how to understand them.<\/p>\n Your MRI will be interpreted by a trained radiologist, who will forward your images and a report to your referring physician. Your doctor will discuss the results with you at a follow-up appointment.<\/p>\n Depending on the radiologist\u2019s schedule, and your doctor\u2019s, it can take up to a week or even longer<\/a> to receive your MRI results.<\/p>\n With PocketHealth<\/a>, you get faster access, often as soon as your results are released by the radiologist. And MyCare Navigator<\/a> can help you prepare you for your follow-up appointment, by highlighting any recommendations in the report and providing you with a list of personalized questions in advance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your doctor will officially share the findings of your MRI report with you. Report Reader<\/a> can also provide clear, easy-to-understand definitions of complex medical terms, and this next section will discuss what general scan findings may look like.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are some of the terms and sections you might find in your MRI report:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are some of the commonly asked questions people have about MRIs with contrast.<\/p>\n Some patients report feeling temporary effects when the contrast is administered, such as a flush of cold or heat, headache, increased heart rate, itchiness, nausea or shortness of breath but these usually pass very quickly. Severe allergic reactions are possible, but extremely rare.<\/p>\n An open MRI machine is more spacious than a regular MRI machine. It is quieter and less claustrophobic, but it captures images at a lower resolution. Not all imaging clinics have open MRI machines.<\/p>\n A CT scan uses low-dose X-rays to capture images while an MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves. CT scans provide particularly detailed images of hard structures like bones, while MRIs capture high-quality images of soft tissues. The two techniques are often complementary<\/a>.<\/p>\n The length of your MRI scan<\/a> depends on what body part is being scanned and why. The imaging itself can last from 15-60 minutes, and the use of contrast agent adds another 15-30 minutes to the process, to allow the dye to fully penetrate your system.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The more you know and understand about your condition, the more confident and proactive you can be when advocating for your health. With PocketHealth<\/a> you can see and even share your MRI images in diagnostic quality as required.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish more people had access to PocketHealth,\u201d says Dan<\/a>, who was able to expedite a surgical procedure by sharing his images. \u201cIt makes you feel empowered. It\u2019s nice to be able to understand what\u2019s going on.\u201d Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with the ability to securely access and store all your medical images and reports in one place.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\tEarly access to your MRI images and reports\t\t<\/h2> \n\t<\/div>\n\t
What is an MRI?<\/h2>\n
What is an MRI with contrast?<\/h2>\n
What does an MRI with contrast show?<\/h2>\n
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Common types of MRI scans<\/h2>\n
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How is an MRI with contrast performed?<\/h2>\n
How to prepare for your MRI appointment<\/h2>\n
Tips before your scan<\/h3>\n
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Tips the day of your scan<\/h3>\n
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Getting your results<\/h2>\n
Who interprets my results?<\/h3>\n
When will I get my MRI results?<\/h3>\n
Understanding my results<\/h2>\n
MRI findings and terminology<\/h2>\n
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Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Are there any side effects from having an MRI with contrast?<\/h3>\n
What is an open MRI?<\/h3>\n
How does an MRI compare to a CT scan?<\/h3>\n
How long does an MRI with contrast take?<\/h3>\n
Take control of your health journey<\/h2>\n