Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Head

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Head

How To Prepare

Before your MRI test, tell your doctor and the MRI technologist if you:

• Have allergies, such as hay fever, asthma, food or medicine allergies. The contrast material used for MRI does not have iodine. If you have a known allergy to the contrast material used for MRI, tell your doctor to prevent an allergic reaction. Sometimes the benefits of having this test outweigh the risks.
• Have any other health conditions, such as kidney problems or sickle cell disease, that may prevent you from having an MRI using contrast material.
• Are or might be pregnant.
• Have a pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), an artificial limb, any metal pins or metal parts in your body (especially in the eyes), metal braces on your teeth, metal heart valves, metal clips in your brain, metal implants in your ear, tattooed eyeliner, or metallic-based tattoos, or any other implanted or prosthetic medical device (such as a medicine infusion pump). Also, tell your doctor if you have worked around metal or if you have recently had surgery on a blood vessel. In some cases, you may not be able to have the MRI test.
• Have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place. An IUD may prevent you from having the MRI test done.
• Become very nervous in small, tight spaces. You need to lie very still inside the MRI magnet. You may need medicine to help you relax.
• Wear any medicine patches. The MRI may cause a burn at the patch site.

You may need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the test if you are given a medicine (sedative) to help you relax.

You will need to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of an MRI and agree to have the test done. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: December 30, 2008
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology
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