Preparations for MRI

• Some MRI exams may require you to receive an injection of contrast through an intravenous (IV) line.
• The radiologist or technologist may ask if you have allergies of any kind.
• Women should always tell their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
• If you have claustrophobia or anxiety, you may want to ask your physician for a prescription for a mild sedative. If you take a mild sedative, you may want to arrange someone to drive you home afterward.
• Jewelry and other accessories should be left at home if possible.
• Bring all prior mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and breast MRIs if these tests were performed at a facility outside of Mountain States Health Alliance. In most cases, MRI is safe for patients with metal implants, except for a few types.

People with the following implants cannot be scanned and should not enter the MRI area:

• internal (implanted) defibrillator
• cochlear (ear) implant
• clips used on brain aneurysms

You should tell the technologist if you have medical or electronic devices in your body, such as:

• artificial heart valves
• implanted drug infusion ports
• infusion catheter
• intrauterine device (IUD)
• implanted electronic device, including a cardiac pacemaker
• artificial limbs or metallic joint prostheses
• implanted nerve stimulators
• metal pins, screws, plates or surgical staples

In general, metal objects used in orthopedic surgery pose no risk during MRI. However, a recently placed artificial joint may require the use of another imaging procedure. If there is any question, an X-ray may be taken to detect metal objects.