MRI: patient preparation

I'm having an abdomenal MRI

This exam demonstrates the anatomy of the upper abdomen.

What do I need to do to prepare? You should cease eating and drinking for four hours before the exam, but oral medications can be taken with a small amount of water
Duration of exam: Approximately 90 minutes
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects

I'm having an MR Arthogram (musculoskeletal)

A musculoskeletal Arthogram demonstrates the anatomy of capsular synovial joints, which include the wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip and ankle.

What do I need to do to prepare? There are no dietary requirements or special preparations required for this procedure (please see general radiography, arthrograms: patient preparation)
Duration of exam: Approximately 120 minutes; You will first have an Arthrogram, after which you'll be taken to MRI for imaging
Post-procedural care: See these special post-procedural care instructions for arthograms

I'm having a brain or neck MRI

This scan demonstrates the anatomy within the cranial vault or neck.

What do I need to do to prepare? There are no dietary requirements or special preparations required for this procedure
Duration of exam: Approximately one hour
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects

I'm having a breast MRI

This procedure is used to demonstrate the anatomy of the breast.

What do I need to do to prepare? While no special preparation is required, your exam may be timed to coincide between day eight and fourteen of your menstrual cycle
Duration of exam: Approximately 90 minutes
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects

I'm having a chest or heart MRI

A chest and heart MRI is use to demonstrate the anatomy of the chest, heart, thoracic aorta and/or pulmonary arteries and veins.

What do I need to do to prepare? There are no dietary requirements or special preparations required for this procedure
Duration of exam: Approximately 90 minutes
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects

I'm having a colonography

A colonography demonstrates the anatomy of the large bowel.

What do I need to do to prepare? Please read our preparation handout and follow the instructions carefully
Duration of exam: Approximately 90 minutes
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects

I'm having an entroclysis

An entroclysis demonstrates the anatomy of the small bowel

What do I need to do to prepare? You should cease eating and drinking for four hours before the exam, but oral medications can be taken with a small amount of water
Duration of exam: Approximately 90 minutes
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects

I'm having a lower extremeties (musculoskeletal) MRI

This procedure is used to demonstrate the musculoskeletal anatomy of the lower extremeties (i.e. foot, ankle, tibia/fibula, knee, femur, hip and bony pelvis).

What do I need to do to prepare? There are no dietary requirements or special preparations required for this procedure
Duration of exam: Approximately one hour
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects

I'm having a pelvis MRI

This MRI demonstrates the anatomy of the pelvis (i.e. bladder, cervix, uterus, prostate and penis).

What do I need to do to prepare? You should cease eating and drinking for six hours before the exam, but oral medications can be taken with a small amount of water; If your bladder is being evaluated, you will be instructed to withhold from urinating upon arrival
Duration of exam: Approximately 90 minutes
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects

I'm having and MRI of the spine

An MRI of the spine demonstrates the anatomy of the spinal canal (cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine).

What do I need to do to prepare? There are no dietary requirements or special preparations required for this procedure
Duration of exam: Approximately 90 minutes
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects

I'm having an upper extremeties (musculoskeletal) MRI

This procedure is used to demonstrate the musculoskeletal anatomy of the upper extremeties (i.e. hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, humerus, shoulder).

What do I need to do to prepare? There are no dietary requirements or special preparations required for this procedure
Duration of exam: Approximately one hour
Post-procedural care: None – you may resume normal activity, and you should not feel adverse effects