MRI—magnetic resonance imaging—is a kind of medical scan that uses a combination of radio waves and magnets to create highly detailed images of tissues and organs inside the body.
Preparing for an MRI
Most of the time, there's not much you have to do to prepare for an MRI scan. Depending on the reason for the scan, you might be asked to avoid eating and drinking for several hours before the scan, or you may need to drink or have an injection of contrast dye to improve the clarity of the MRI images. You'll also need to remove any metal you're wearing, including watches, jewellery, and dentures, and let the medical staff know if you have any metal in your body, such as a pacemaker or IUD. This is important because the MRI equipment creates a strong magnetic field, and this can have interact with the metal in ways that increase the risks of the procedure. If you have metal in your body it doesn't mean you can't have an MRI, but it does mean some extra precautions might be necessary to make it safe for you.
During an MRI scan, powerful magnets are used to generate a strong magnetic field, at the same time as radio waves are also generated. You'll lie on a bed inside the scanner for the duration of the procedure, which can take between 15 and 90 minutes. At various points during the scan you'll be asked to remain still, or hold your breath, as this helps ensure that the images being created are clear and accurate
The NHS covers MRI scans for patients for a wide range of reasons, typical to do with diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment assessment. However, the NHS doesn't cover every eventuality, and for a variety of reasons, people sometimes prefer to have a private MRI scan in London or elsewhere. Why have a private MRI scan?
If you fall into one of these categories, you may decide to have a private MRI scan at a London clinic, where you can be sure of having the procedure in a comfortable location, with advanced equipment and expert care.
