topic Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs in Wellness

Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

LuvMyBoyz — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 13:49:53 GMT

Good Morning All,

I have two quick questions regarding MRI testing. They may sound silly, but I just need that extra bit of peace of mind - it makes all the difference. I had an MRI (abdomen, with and without contrast) done two weeks ago and, thankfully, the results were completely normal. Here are my concerns/questions:

1) They did not tell me that I couldn't eat or drink before the test. I'm sure I had some food/water within 4-6 hours before the test. Would this have interfered with the test in any way?

2) The sweatpants I was wearing had 2 tiny metal rings where the drawstring comes out. I didn't notice until afterward and the tech never said anything, although he may not have seen. Is this ok?

I'm assuming that if any of this were a problem, they would have known while they were testing. Silly questions, I know, but peace of mind is priceless. I thank you for reading and I appreciate your help. Best to all.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

Big Sister — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 13:58:48 GMT

I think they would call you if there is a problem with the films. I wouldn't worry about it.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

lolakimono — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 14:00:58 GMT

Eating/drinking should not impact an MRI.

If they were concerned about what you were wearing, they would have made you change into a gown.

Are you sure it wasn't a CT? I have not heard of an MRI with contrast- only CT.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

betteb — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 14:04:18 GMT

I don't think either one would have interfered with the test.

The metal rings must not have been much metal. An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses a very powerful magnet and I think the worst that would have happened was the machine would have tried to pull them against the walls of the machine.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

LuvMyBoyz — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 14:26:51 GMT

Thank you so very much for your responses. Yes, it was definitely an MRI. I've had several CT scans in the past and I, too, thought contrast was only for CT scans. Apparently it's used for MRIs as well. I appreciate the help!

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

radimage — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 15:01:52 GMT

You don't need to be fasting for an abdominal MRI.

The metal rings would have had a worse impact on the CT, than the MRI.

Obviously the metal did not make that big of an artifact to interfere with the test.

I'm sure they would have done something about the pants if they would have.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

becspenn — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 15:43:35 GMT

I have been a MRI technologist since 1988. Not much I do not know so here goes. The best quality MRI of the abdomen without and with contrast requires nothing to eat or drink for fours hours prior and NO ferromagnetic metal should be in the magnet. If your pants did not pull upward they were okay. If your technologist saw that your stomach contained food, I hope they would have stopped scanning and rescheduled your appointment. Having said that, sometimes depending on clinical factors a not so perfect exam is still very diagnostic. If you were not recalled for additional imaging, I would not worry. Hope this helps.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

LuvMyBoyz — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 15:52:54 GMT

Thank you all so much. You've given me the extra peace of mind I needed to hear.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

PINKdogWOOD — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 15:56:48 GMT

My husband is having an ab CT & a liver MRI tomorrow in fact. These are not the only ones he's had since Jan 2013. He's always told no food or drink after midnight. He's never been told anything about clothing to wear or not.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

JustJazzmom — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 16:33:47 GMT

If there is any doubt about the metals on clothing, the technician will have you change into a cloth gown for the MRI.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

151949 — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 17:15:42 GMT

The only thing the metal rings would have impacted would be when the magnets were turned on they would have moved around due to being metal. They must have been something like aluminum that is not magnetic. I'm surprised they didn't make you wear a hospital gown - I have always had to wear a gown when I get an MRI - even when it was just an MRI of my ankle. when i was working as a nurse and would accompany my patient to an MRI they would make us remove everything from our pockets and take off our shoes before we went into the room but even then the snaps and the strap adjusters on my bras would be wiggling around because of the powerful magnets

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

radimage — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 17:26:04 GMT

On 2/9/2014 happy housewife said: The only thing the metal rings would have impacted would be when the magnets were turned on they would have moved around due to being metal. They must have been something like aluminum that is not magnetic. I'm surprised they didn't make you wear a hospital gown - I have always had to wear a gown when I get an MRI - even when it was just an MRI of my ankle. when i was working as a nurse and would accompany my patient to an MRI they would make us remove everything from our pockets and take off our shoes before we went into the room but even then the snaps and the strap adjusters on my bras would be wiggling around because of the powerful magnets

Sorry, but the magnet is ALWAYS on...and secondly...metal in the area of imaging cause an artifact on the images.

Some places have you change...some don't. Bra straps don't 'move around'...if you imaging the neck or mid-back they can interfere with the imaging quality. If you're getting your ankle MRI'd...you don't have to take your bra off.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

Shelbelle — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 17:44:31 GMT

When I had an MRI years ago, the tech noticed that my shirt had fabric covered buttons but were metal underneath, she was not happy about it, but still went on with the test.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

hckynut — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 18:46:07 GMT

Any test that I take I do on an empty stomach, including fluids. There is no way I would wear any type of metal when having an MRI done on any part of my body, and I have had many, with and without contrasting material including Nuclear.

The best person(s)to ask about your concern is the prescribing doctor and I am sure he will follow up with the technician and whatever doctor or radiologist that read the results of your MRI.

This is not a question anyone here can answer as was done specifically on your body, not mine, or anyone else that has or will reply.

Call your prescribing doctor and let her/him answer you concerns.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

HisElk — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 20:30:38 GMT

On 2/9/2014 radimage said:
On 2/9/2014 happy housewife said: The only thing the metal rings would have impacted would be when the magnets were turned on they would have moved around due to being metal. They must have been something like aluminum that is not magnetic. I'm surprised they didn't make you wear a hospital gown - I have always had to wear a gown when I get an MRI - even when it was just an MRI of my ankle. when i was working as a nurse and would accompany my patient to an MRI they would make us remove everything from our pockets and take off our shoes before we went into the room but even then the snaps and the strap adjusters on my bras would be wiggling around because of the powerful magnets

Sorry, but the magnet is ALWAYS on...and secondly...metal in the area of imaging cause an artifact on the images.

Some places have you change...some don't. Bra straps don't 'move around'...if you imaging the neck or mid-back they can interfere with the imaging quality. If you're getting your ankle MRI'd...you don't have to take your bra off.

I spoke with my DH who was a service engineer for a major imaging equipment company (Dutch) and this is about the best explanation for metal in a magnet.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

RetRN — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 21:08:45 GMT

You are worrying needlessly.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

pattyc — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 03:35:44 GMT

On 2/9/2014 lolakimono said:
Eating/drinking should not impact an MRI.

If they were concerned about what you were wearing, they would have made you change into a gown.

Are you sure it wasn't a CT? I have not heard of an MRI with contrast- only CT.

I have had several MRI's for the brain and most were done with contrast.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

CouponQueen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 21:37:04 GMT

They do MRIs with and without Contrast..my husband has had both...he never had to change into a gonw.

The metal in the sweatpants may of not been real metal..maybe plastic..but when the machine they can usually detect it.

One time I had a MRI on my back and wore everything that had non metal...I had flip flops on my feet. We all thought they were fine. When they turned the machine on to do the actual scan we didn't have time to think my shoes went flying off my feet and across the room....we couldn't stop laughing..thank goodness nobody was hurt. I had Sketchers Flip Flops on and after closer examination they had a metal layer between the sole and small wedge heel..Another time I had my back done and my bra had to come off as they detected metal from that area - turns out it was underwire.

Drinking water should not bother a MRI at all..you can eat/drink normal unless they specify otherwise.

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

mistriTsquirrel — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:22:05 GMT

On 2/9/2014 pink dogwood said:
My husband is having an ab CT & a liver MRI tomorrow in fact. These are not the only ones he's had since Jan 2013. He's always told no food or drink after midnight. He's never been told anything about clothing to wear or not.

Please post about the results when you know them, pink dogwood!!!

How is your husband doing? How are you doing?

My dad is almost done with his 5FU and oxaliplatin course of treatment. He hasn't had much in the way of side-effects, except for the cold sensitivity. I'm wondering if the lack of side effects is an indicator that this latest course of chemo is working as well as the last course (not at all). My brother has lost more hair than my father has, and my brother isn't the one going through chemo. We are all really stressed out. My dad goes for a CT scan on the 3/5 and another on 3/7. I suspect they will tell us that his cancer has spread even further...that the chemo hasn't helped slow down the progression of his disease at all. It's sad and scary to think about, that there are "effective" treatments that don't work for everyone.

I hope you and your husband are doing well.

Love,

mistri

Re: Questions for Someone Familiar with MRIs

fitnessfreak — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:09:12 GMT

I have had an MRI once yearly since 2010. For MRIs I was told NO METAL ANYWHERE and no FOOD/Drink 6-hours prior...not even water. Wore hospital gown only.

I was told that food/water can sometimes distort image as it alters size/shape etc. I think it all depends on WHAT ORGAN/AREA they are imaging

I would call and ask if the imaging came out clearly or should there be a re-test. I have found through these past few years that one must truly advocate for oneself to make sure things are done right and/or done at all.

Although most times one receives instructions not to eat/drink...if you didn't it's possible the images aren't as clear as they should be. But this is just my opinion not a critisism.