If you have to have an MRI of your head, there’s no need to be concerned about the procedure. It is a completely painless test that will provide your doctor with an image of both your brainstem and brain. The machine uses radio waves and a magnetic field to create this image. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, no radiation is used in this procedure. If you’re going in for a head MRI, here’s what you can expect.
Remove Metal Items
The first thing you’ll be asked to do is to remove anything that contains metal so those items do not interfere with the image. This includes jewelry, earrings, and anything metal in your pockets. Generally, dental fillings and braces don’t cause any problems, but things such as pacemakers, ear implants, vascular stents, and some other implants can. Make sure your MRI technician knows about any artificial implants you have before beginning the scan.
Ask for a Sedative if You Need It
Some people who need to have a head MRI in Riverhead, NY, are very claustrophobic. To make the procedure less stressful, you can ask the technician for a sedative to help calm you down. Once the scan starts, you have to remain very still, so it’s important to ask for this before the procedure begins.
The Scan Itself
When you have one of these scans done at North Fork Radiology, the first thing you will do is lie down on the MRI table, which then slides into the MRI machine. This is when the actual images are taken. You don’t have to do anything but remain as still as possible. You may be given headphones or earplugs because the MRI machines can be very loud.
If you need to speak to the technician during your head MRI, the machine is equipped with a microphone. The MRI can take anywhere from half an hour to an hour.
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