My son is schedule for a MRI. Are there an effects I should know about?

Question

I have yet to have the consultation for the test. I'm horrible at asking the right questions.

Answer 1

A properly screened patient (no pacemaker, brain aneurysm clips etc) will have no adverse health effects from a MRI.  MRI used radiofrequencies, which we are exposed to every day, and a magnetic field.  The earth is a magnetic field.  

Some MRI exams require an injection of contrast.  People who are renal compromised or on dialysis can experience complications from this contrast.  People with healthy kidneys usually experience no side effects from the contrast.  Contrast is usually used in brain MRIs, lumbar spine scans, when the patient has already had a prior back surgery, soft tissue neck scans, and certain angiogram scans.  It is not used often for extremity (knee, shoulder etc) scan.

The following site has a patient preparation page, which details certain MRI scans.  You can get a lot of information on those pages, including risks and benefits of MRI.

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/sitemap/...

Answer 2

MRIs are really easy. The only thing that might be a problem is he may be a little claustrophobic in that little space so i know that some places offer blindfolds to wear.  Also, there are a series of different buzzing and beeping noises that play for the machine to work so they give you earplugs.

I had no side effects when i had an MRI.

Answer 3

mris are normally painless just no metal and also its a scary thing i would bring a teddy bear or some comforting thing

Answer 4

You didn't mention how old your son is, and that could make a big difference.  It's very important that he be told what to expect, especially if he's young.  An MRI is painless.  You just lay on the table and the "machine" turns around you taking "pictures". You can't have any metal on, so if he's wearing a belt or jeans they'll have to come off.  They may have him put on a hospital gown. You have to lay perfectly still. That means absolutely no movement of any kind and that could be hard for a young child.  It could take 20 minutes to over an hour depending on what they are looking at.  The "machine" makes loud, thumping noises.  The room will be chilly.  He will be able to talk to and hear the person doing the test, but not see him.  They usually have music playing unless you request that it be turned off. Once it's over you get up, get dressed and leave.  If you've ever had x-rays you know you don't feel anything from them and an MRI is no different.

Promise him if he lays very still and does what he's asked to do you'll take him to get ice cream or whatever he'd consider special.

Don't worry Mom, he'll be fine.