What happens during the MRI scan?

A radiographer performs the scan. He or she explains the procedure to you and answers your questions. Once you are inside the scan room, the radiographer helps you to lie on a comfortable couch. This moves you into the centre of the scanner. The scanner is open at both ends. It is important that you keep still during the scan, as movement causes blurring of the pictures. The radiographer can see you throughout the examination. If, at any time, you want to contact the radiographer, just squeeze the buzzer that we give you.

Sometimes we give you a small injection of contrast agent (a colourless liquid) and/or buscopan (a muscle relaxant). These help to show parts of the body more clearly and improve the scan. The whole procedure can take up to 2 hours but most patients are on the scanner for about 45 minutes.