What Conditions Should You Inform Your Doctor About Before an MRI?

MRI or magnetic resonance imaging uses a combination of a powerful magnetic field, rapidly changing magnetic fields and radio waves to create organs and tissues in the body to help diagnose injuries or diseases. While MRIs often yield accurate results, patients may not be aware that certain conditions can affect the scan, or even distort the image. This is why it’s a good idea to disclose information regarding your health to your doctor beforehand. Here are some examples of conditions that can impact the scan.

Braces and/or Fillings

As per standard procedure, anything metallic on you should be removed. This could include jewelry, watches, or clothing with metal in them. All the same, you must inform your doctor if you have braces or have metallic fillings in your teeth. While braces are not that much of a safety risk during an MRI scan, they can cause the image generated to be distorted.

Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia or fear of small spaces might present some problems during MRI since you will be asked to lie down in a machine with not much elbow room. According to the Health Research Funding Organization, about 5 percent of the general US population may suffer from claustrophobia. If you do have claustrophobia, radiologists and doctors can help ease your anxiety by helping you understand the process. Alternatively, ask if the health facility has an open MRI scanner.

Pregnancy

While there is no known risk of receiving MRI for a pregnant patient, it is still recommended to tell the radiologist. MRI should only be reserved for pregnant women only to address important concerns or if it is deemed “clinically imperative”. However, according to guidelines published, MRI scans at 3.0 tesla or less and taken only during the second and third trimester are the safest.

Sources: 

MRI Scans: How Do They Work?, Medical News Today

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Safety, RadiologyInfo.org