Melbourne Radiology Clinic
Ground Floor
Suite 3-6, 100 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne VIC 3002
Ph: 03 9667 1667
Fax: 03 9667 1666

Appointments

 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – Adult

Having A MRI Scan At Melbourne Radiology Clinic

MRI Patient

Guide.

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan uses a powerful magnet and radiowaves to produce superbly detailed views of the human body, particularly joints and soft tissues, such as the brain, spinal cord and muscles.

MRI does not use radiation

Your Safety & Health.

Patient MRI Consent Form & Safety Questionnaire

A high field magnet, as used in MRI may have serious consequences in certain patients, and as such, we need you to answer some questions and also complete a questionnaire to thoroughly understand your overall health.

Patients with cardiac pacemakers and cochlear implants cannot undergo MRI scans. Other metallic implants may prohibit patients from having an MRI scan. This includes people with certain types of cerebral aneurysm clips, vascular stents, infusion pumps and neurostimulators.

At Melbourne Radiology Clinic, we care about your safety and your health, and aim to ensure the most appropriate imaging protocol is selected so your scans are performed safely and targeted to your clinical needs.

Preparation.

No preparation is necessary for an MRI scan. You can eat and drink normally.

Though some discomfort may occur from having to lay still, MRI is otherwise a painless procedure.

A MRI scan typically takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to perform.

You will be asked to change into and wear an examination gown provided for you.

As a strong magnet is used, all metallic devices MUST be removed before entering the MRI room.

Patient Comfort

– Wide Bore MRI.

Siemens Wide-Bore MRI
16% Wider than Conventional MRI

Wide Tunnel

Melbourne Radiology Clinic's MRI scanner is the latest Siemens Espree unit which has a wide bore that is 16% wider than conventional MRI units. Patients may experience less anxiety when entering the enclosed space of the MRI scanner at Melbourne Radiology Clinic

Patient Comfort

Our Wide-Bore MRI scanner sets the standard for patient comfort. This means that those patients who suffer from claustrophobia or have a large build can be scanned in comfort. Patients having a MRI of their lumbar spine or body areas below such as knees, ankles or feet can enter the scanner feet first ensuring maximum comfort for the patient.

Wide Bore MRI - Melbourne Radiology Clinic

The MRI scan occurs in an enclosed space, so if you have problems with this and may experience claustrophobia or anxiety, please inform us in advance. We can offer a light sedative that may relax you, however, you will require a responsible adult to drive you home and you must refrain from any significant activity for the remainder of the day. In particular, you should not drive a car or any other machinery, nor make important decisions, such as signing legal documents.

MRI Female Pelvis

For Female Patients - Are You Pregnant?

If you are or might be pregnant, please call the Clinic in advance of your appointment so that the radiologist can discuss your situation with yourself and/or referring doctor. As a general rule, MRI scans are usually not conducted in the first trimester of pregnancy unless it is deemed by the referring doctor or radiologist that is an absolute medical necessity to do so and that the benefits of the test outweigh the risks. This of course assumes that there is no other test available that can provide similar information.

Avoid wearing make-up. Female patients are requested not to wear eye make-up for brain scans as this can affect image quality

What to Expect During

The MRI Scan.

Once the scan is under way as you will hear a loud vibrating or knocking sound. Noise cancelling headphones are provided for you to use and you may wish to listen to music or radio of your choice during the scan.

Relax - Stay Nice and Still

It is very important that you keep your body extremely still during the scan. Movement during a scan will result in lower quality or blurred images, similar to the blurring effect that occurs when taking a photograph of a moving object

MRI Scan Sequences

Usually four or five different types of MRI scans called sequences are taken with each one lasting about 2–8 minutes. Overall, you will be in the scanner for about 20 minutes. A sequence or sequences may need to be repeated if there is bluring of the images due to excessive movement.

Communication

You will be in constant communication with the technician who conducts the MRI. Their role is to ensure that you are comfortable and kept up-to-date with the progress of your scans. As an additional safety mechanism, you will be provided with a buzzer to hold during the scan. Press this at anytime should you feel exceedingly uncomfortable or anxious to gain the attention of the MRI technician. The scan at this point will be stopped and you will be immediately attended to by our staff.

[before-after is_wiggle=”true” color=”#00adef” label_one=”Pre Contrast” label_two=”Post Contrast” label_position=”two”]melbourne-radiology-mri-brain-precontrast-0001melbourne-radiology-mri-brain-postcontrast-0001[/before-after]

IMAGES: A. Pre and B. Post intravenous contrast enhancement of the brain demonstrate irregular peripheral enhancement (uptake) of the contrast by an extensive brain tumour, known as a  large “butterfly” glioma of the corpus callosum

MRI Contrast.

MRI CONTRAST / INTRAVENOUS DYE (Gadolinium)

Some patients undergoing an MRI scan may require an injection of an intravenous (IV) dye (contrast) known as Gadolinium, which is a paramagnetic substance that is visible on MRI scans. If contrast is required, this will be discussed with you by our MRI Technician and /or Radiologist on the day of your appointment.

Follow-Up

& Your Results.

Your Images and Report

One of Melbourne Radiology Clinic's specialist radiologists, a medical doctor specialising in the interpretation of medical images for the purposes of providing a diagnosis, will then review the images and provide a formal written report. If medically urgent, or you have an appointment immediately after the scan to be seen by your doctor or health care provider, Melbourne Radiology Clinic will instantly have your results ready. Otherwise, the report will be received by your doctor or health care provider within the next 24 hours.

Follow-Up Appointment

Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.

Your referring doctor or health care provider is the most appropriate person to explain to you the results of the scans and for this reason, we do not release the results directly to you.

Whilst every effort is made to keep your appointment time, the special needs of complex cases, elderly and frail patients can cause unexpected delays. Your consideration and patience in these circumstances is appreciated.

Reminders.

Please bring to the clinic any prior scans (eg. X-rays, ultrasounds, MRI, CT) and reports as these will assist the radiologist in assessing your condition.
If you have any further queries please call Melbourne Radiology Clinic on (03) 9667 1667 – we are only too happy to help.
Please note that any referral for a scan is valid at Melbourne Radiology Clinic, even if it has been written on a referral form from another radiology provider.