Do I need to prepare for the exam? No special preparation is needed. Eat normally and take medication as usual, unless your doctor has given you other instructions. You may find it easier to relax if you avoid drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages before the exam. Is there any risk? Magnetic resonance imaging is very safe. There are no health risks associated with the magnetic field or radio waves used by the machine. However, some special circumstances limit the use of a magnetic field, so it is important for you to tell us if any of the following apply to you or someone accompanying you into the exam room: • cardiac pacemaker or artificial heart valve • metal plate, pin or other metallic implant • Intrauterine device, such as Copper-7 IUD • Insulin pump or other infusion pump • aneurysm clips • previous gun wound • inner ear implant • ever been a metal worker (had metal in eye) • permanent (tattoo) eye-liner Any metallic substance on your person can affect the quality of the diagnostic images. It can also cause discomfort or injury to you when placed in the magnetic field, and may exclude you from the exam. PLEASE be sure to tell us if you are pregnant. What is the Exam like? The exam usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. It consists of several image exposures lasting 10 to 15 minutes each. You’ll be asked to remove your make-up, eyeglasses, watch, jewelry, credit cards, dentures, hearing aids and any other metallic objects you are carrying. Then, the technologist will help you lie down on a cushioned table. A device called a ‘coil’ will be placed over or under you. It helps the MRI system create a clear picture of your body. When you are comfortably positioned, the table will move under the magnet. The technologist will then step into the control area, while staying in constant contact with you both visually and through an intercom. As the exam proceeds, you will hear a muffled thumping sound for several minutes at a time. Other than the sound, the MRI creates no bodily sensation. Relax and try to lie as still as possible. Any movement during this time will blur the picture. When the exam is done, the technologist will help you off the table. Will I feel anything during the scan? The MRI scan is completely painless and comfortable. Occasionally, an injection of a solution called contrast material may need to be used to better visualize the area of interest as specified by your physician. The contrast material used during an MRI scan typically has few or no side effects.