What is MRI (Magnetic Resonance imaging)?
MRI is a noninvasive medical test helping physicians to diagnose and treat many medical conditions.
MRI uses a magnetic field and a computer for producing detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and many internal Body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor, transmitted electronically, printed or copied to a CD. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays), so no hazards of radiation in this study.

Any preparations needed?

• Instructions regarding eating and drinking before an MRI exam vary with each exam.
• The radiologist or technologist may ask you about having allergies of any kind, such as allergy to drugs, contrast material, food, the environment, or Asthma.
• The radiologist should know if you have any serious health problems, or if you had any surgery before.
• Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant (although MRI has not been proven to be harmful in pregnancy).
• If you have claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you may want to ask for anesthesia prior to the scheduled Examination.
• Some items should be left at home if possible, or removed prior to the MRI scan. For example:
• watches,  credit cards, jewelry and hearing aids ( all of which can be damaged).
• Any metallic items can distort MRI images.
• Removable dental work.
• Eyeglasses.
• The following implants should not enter the MRI scanning area (unless explicitly instructed to do so by a radiologist who is aware of the presence of any of the following):
• Internal (implanted) defibrillator or pacemaker
• Cochlear (ear) implant
• Some types of metal coils placed within blood vessels
• You should tell the radiologist or the technologist if you have any devices inserted in your body, because some of them may interfere with the exam or cause a risk, Depending on their nature and the strength of the MRI magnet. For example:
• Implanted cardiac pacemaker
• Artificial heart valves
• Implanted drug infusion ports
• Implanted nerve stimulators
• Artificial limbs or metallic joint prostheses
• Metal pins, screws, plates, stents or surgical staples
• Artificial joints or patients who might have metal objects in certain parts of their bodies may require the use of another imaging procedure before MRI, for example: x-ray may be taken to detect and identify any metal objects.
• Parents who accompany children into the MRI room also need to remove metal objects and to tell the technologist about any medical or electronic devices They may have.
• Infants and young children may require sedation or anesthesia to complete an MRI exam without moving for better images quality.