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MRI Scans

Also called: Magnetic resonance imaging, NMR, Nuclear magnetic resonance

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Summary

What is an MRI scan?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging test that is usually painless and uses magnets, radio waves, and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body. MRI scans show organs and soft tissues clearly and can help tell healthy from unhealthy tissue in many cases.

Who needs an MRI scan?

MRI scans are often used to diagnose conditions that affect soft tissues and to monitor treatment.

MRI may be used to look at:

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons
Joints, such as the knee or shoulder

MRI does not use x-rays or other radiation. Because of this, it may be used when repeat imaging is needed.

How do you prepare for an MRI scan?

MRI machines use powerful magnets. Metal objects or implants can interfere with the scan and may be unsafe.

Before your MRI, you will need to remove items such as:

Jewelry and watches
Hairpins
Hearing aids

Before your MRI, tell your health care provider if you:

Are pregnant
Are breastfeeding, especially if you may receive contrast material (a substance that helps some parts of your body show up more clearly on the images)
Feel anxious in enclosed spaces (claustrophobic)
Have kidney problems
Have metal in your body, such as bullets, shrapnel, or other metal fragments
Have metal or electronic devices in your body, such as a pacemaker, artificial joint, or other implants
Have tattoos or permanent makeup, since some darker inks may contain metal

How is an MRI scan done?

You will usually change into a hospital gown. Sometimes before the test, you may receive contrast, which is usually given through a vein (intravenously or IV).

During the scan, you lie on a table that slides inside a large, tunnel-like machine. Some facilities use an open MRI machine, which is less enclosed. The machine makes loud noises as it takes pictures. You may be given earplugs or headphones.

The scan can take some time, depending on the part of your body being examined. You will need to stay very still during the scan.

What should I expect after an MRI scan?

After most MRI scans, you can return to normal activities right away. If you were given medicine to help you relax, someone will need to take you home.

A specialist called a radiologist reviews the images and shares them with your provider.

Start Here

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine)
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) (Food and Drug Administration)

Related Issues

All About Your Radiology Report: What to Know (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America)
MRI Safety (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
MRI: Is Gadolinium Safe for People with Kidney Problems? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Patient Safety -- Contrast Material (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Specifics

Body MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Brain MRI (Head MRI) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Breast MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Cardiac (Heart) MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Chest MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America)
Defecography MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Functional MRI (fMRI) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Knee MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
MR Angiography (MRA) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
MR Enterography (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
MR-Guided Breast Biopsy (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
MRCP (MR Cholangiopancreatography) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
MRI for Cancer (American Cancer Society)
Musculoskeletal MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Pelvic Floor MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Prostate MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Shoulder MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Spine MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Tests for Lung Disease (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) Also in Spanish
Urography (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Videos and Tutorials

Getting an MRI (For Kids) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Reference Desk

RadiologyInfo: Glossary of Terms (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Find an Expert

Food and Drug Administration
RadiologyInfo (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Children

Pediatric MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Women

MRI Safety during Pregnancy (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

Abdominal MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Arm MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Chest MRI (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Head MRI (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Heart MRI (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Leg MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Lumbar MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
MRI and low back pain (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Pelvis MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

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MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

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