PATIENT PREPARATION

• Exams take from 30 to 90 minutes. Average is 45 minutes
• Time varies with the type and number of sequences ranging from 2 to 10 minutes each.
• Patient must lie absolutely still for these long sequences. 
• The referring doctor should be familiar with the facility so they can properly explain the procedure to the patient. Well informed patients are less anxious about the exam. 

BEFORE THE EXAMINATION

• The patient should dress comfortably without any metal. It is very important that no ferrous metallic object go into the unit.
• Horrible accident have happened when metal goes into the magnet room. 
• Credit cards should not be taken to the facility as the information may be erased by the magnet.

DURING THE EXAMINATION

• The patient is placed on the MRI table.
• Surface coils are placed on the area being studies.
• The patient is the guided into the gantry.
• The technologist will tell the patient when the sequence will begin and how long it will last.
• At this point, the patient will hear the sounds of the gradient magnets switching on a off. It will sound like load knocking noises or rhythmic beating noise emanating from the magnet.
• Many facilities provide earphone and a choice of music for the patient or noise suppression equipment.
• Claustrophobia is the main complication of the MRI exam, occurring about 5% of the time. A mild tranquilizer may alleviate the problem.Sometime placing the patient prone in the scanner may help.