What you should know before the examination

Are you undergoing magnetic resonance examination for the first time?
Patients are not required to undergo special procedures before the examination of magnetic resonance (MR). If your doctor has recommended this examination to you and found you suitable for it, trust him. Examination is painless. The only intervention to your body can be the use of a contrast agent in some types of scanning; or a calming injection in case you suffer from feelings of claustrophobia. Every MR centre has a team consisting of professionals who are happy to give the information about the procedure before the beginning of the examination. Patients are advised not to eat 2 hours before the magnetic resonance examination. If your doctor does not tell you otherwise, you can also take your usual medicine. You are required to have your insurance card for the MR examination. If you are a self-payer, ask the staff at the reception desk about the price list. It is also necessary to have a record from your doctor.
Reception staff will give you a security questionnaire that you must fill in. The questionnaire is necessary for the radiologists to make sure that all data from your doctor are up-to-date at the day of examination.
Measures which need to be taken before the MR examination

 
Since the MR examination is performed in a strong magnetic field, it is necessary that you take off all metal or magnetic objects from your body and clothes before the examination: i.e. earrings, piercings, money, keys, jewelry, watches, glasses, staples and credit cards. It might be necessary to take out the dentures. Because of the "interference" with metal parts of your clothing (e.g. the flap), we may ask you to take off it and use a different piece of clothing instead.

Magnetic resonance imaging is not suitable for everyone

Due to the strong magnetic field, MR examination is not suitable for everyone. Patients with some of the following devices inside or on their body, cannot be usually examined:

• pacemaker / cardiac stimulator
• vascular clamps
• insulin pump
• surgical staples
• implantable drug dispenser
• artificial heart valve
• cochlear implants (ear implants)
• foreign objects in the eye
• neuro-stimulator
• metal shard or other metal objects in the body
• Surgical staples, plates, screws - if implanted more than 4 or 6 weeks ago - do not usually cause any risk to MR examinations.

If you have an endoprothesis or another orthopedic implant, it is necessary that we know about it. Please include the following facts in the security questionnaire. This shouldn’t be a handicap for your examinations. If you are pregnant or think that you might be, please consult it with your doctor or our staff. Your condition may be different from the condition noted down in the request form sent to MR centre, as the date of your visit at MR centre will be different as well. Baby-sitters should call the nearest MR centre to ask about the details of examinations, so that we can agree on individual preparations. If you work or have worked with metals before the examination, tell your doctor or our staff about it. Tattoo dyes or permanent make-up may contain compounds of iron and may become hot during the examination, so you should tell your doctor about it. Questions related to allergies are to be found in the security questionnaire as well. You shouldn’t forget to mention allergies if you have any.