What is a brain MRI?

A brain MRI is an easy, painless scan that creates very clear images of what lies inside your head—specifically, your brain. MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves and a computer to create these detailed images. It does not use radiation.

Currently, MRI stands out as the most sensitive imaging test of your head (particularly, your brain) compared with all the other imaging techniques, such as CT scans or X-rays.

What is a brain MRI with contrast?

Some brain MRI tests use an injection of contrast material. The contrast agent is primarily a rare earth metal known as gadolinium. When this element is in your system, it changes the magnetic properties of adjacent water molecules that are around it. It makes the images obtained more detailed in quality. This increases the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic images.

Contrast material increases the visibility of the following:

• Tumors.
• Inflammation.
• Blood supply of some organs.
• Blood vessels.

It will also assist in diagnosing multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, and infection.

If your brain MRI requires a contrast material, your health care provider will insert an intravenous catheter, also known as an IV line, into a vein in your hand or arm. They'll administer the contrast material through the IV.

Contrast materials are safe IV medications. Mild to serious side effects do occur but extremely rare reactions occur.

What is a brain MRI?

A brain or head MRI shows the structures inside of your head, including:

• Your brain.
• Blood vessels that connect to your brain.
• Your skull and facial bones.
• Structures in your inner ear.
• Your eyes and their supporting tissues, such as your optic nerves.
• Other nerves (large nerves in your head, called cranial nerves).
• Around soft tissues and skull-based structures, like fat, bones, muscle and connective tissue.

A more specific one is if there are abnormalities in your brain or surrounding tissues, such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Inflammation and swelling.
• Structural issues.
• Abnormal growths or masses.
• Fluid leaks.
• Hemorrhage (bleeding inside your brain).
• White matter disease.

Why would a neurologist require an MRI of the brain?

Neurologists and other providers might order brain MRIs for a variety of purposes - for example, to help establish a new neurological condition based on specific symptoms or to monitor an existing one.

Some things a brain MRI can help diagnose or monitor include:

• Blood clot in the brain.
• Brain aneurysm.
• Brain hemorrhage.
• Brain infections (encephalitis).
• Brain damage related to epilepsy.
• Brain tumors and cysts.
• Several chronic neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Dementia.
• Hydrocephalus
• Problems with the pituitary gland, such as a pituitary adenoma.
• Stroke.
• Brain malformations or structural problems, such as Chiari malformation and cortical development malformations. (The term "cortical" refers to the outer layer of your cerebrum.)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Your physician may also refer you for an MRI of your head if you have any of the following combinations of symptoms and signs:

• Migraines and/or chronic headaches.
• Seizures.
• Vertigo and frequent severe dizziness episodes.
• Unexplained hearing loss.
• Unexplained vision changes.
• Imbalances in certain hormones related to your hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland.
• Substantial mental status and behavioral changes.
• Extremely weakness or fatigue.

These healthcare providers use brain and head MRI scans before surgeries involving your head so that they can prepare for the surgery adequately. They also need them to confirm that the healing process from the surgery is fine. Severe injuries involving your head will always call healthcare providers' attention to getting a brain MRI scan so as to check out the possibility of injuries, bleeding, and swelling.

Who performs a brain MRI?

For the brain head MRI, it will be performed by either a radiologist or a radiology technologist. A doctor who orders, performs, and reads the images for the purpose of diagnosing conditions are basically what a radiologist does. A radiology technologist, on the other hand, refers to a healthcare professional that’s trained and certified in the performance of an MRI scan.

How does a brain MRI work?

Magnetic resonance imaging operates by passing an electric current through coiled wires which induces a temporary magnetic field within your body — in this case, your head. The machine then sends and receives radio waves to the transmitter/receiver within it. Your computer processes these signals to make digital images of the structures within your head — in this instance, your brain.

How should I prepare for a brain MRI?

General guidelines about eating and drinking before your brain MRI depend on why you are having the procedure. Otherwise, it is advisable to have something to eat and take any prescribed medication as usual unless your healthcare provider tells you to do otherwise.

The MRI scanner employs strong magnets and radio wave signals. This may lead to heating and/or possible movement of some metal objects in your head and/or body. It may pose some health and safety risks. It will also cause some implanted electronic medical devices to fail.

If you have any metal-containing objects or implanted medical devices in your body, you'll need to let your healthcare provider know before your brain MRI. Some implanted objects may necessitate additional scheduling arrangements and special instructions. Other items don't require any special instructions but should probably have an X-ray taken for checking on the exact location of the object before your exam.

If you have one or more of the following conditions, please inform your doctor and the MRI technologist:

• Cardiac pacemaker.
• Middle ear prostheses.
• Cochlear implant.
• A clip used for brain aneurysms.
• Vagal nerve stimulator.
• Metal fragments inside your head or eye.

You must also tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Are pregnant.
• Can't lie on your back for 30 to 60 minutes.
• You are claustrophobic-that is, you fear enclosed or narrow spaces.

Leave all jewelry or other accessories at home, or remove them prior to your brain MRI. The following items aren't allowed in the exam room because they can interact with the magnetic field of the MRI unit and can cause burns or become dangerous projectiles. These include:

• Jewellery, watches, credit cards, and hearing aids-all of which can be damaged.
• Pins, metal hair pins, underwire bras and metal zippers, which may distort the MRI images.
• Dentures and other removable dental work.
• Pens, pocketknives and eyeglasses.
• Body piercings.
• Cell phones, electronic watches and tracking devices.

What can I expect during a brain MRI?

Most brain MRI studies are pain-free, but some people have a hard time staying still for 30 minutes or more. Others may be afraid of the enclosed space in the machine. The machine also can be pretty noisy.

General steps of a brain MRI scan and what you might expect

You will be asked to change into a hospital gown so you can slide onto the table of the MRI machine.

You will lie on the MRI scanning bed face up for most exams.

The technologist will place a special helmet-like device called a head coil around your head as soon as you are lying on the table. Some head coils have a mirror attached, so you can see out of the scanning machine or a small screen that allows you to watch television, helping alleviate feelings of claustrophobia.

Then the technologist will move you and the scanning bed in to the machine itself.

When the MRI test begins, you will hear the machine knock and click throughout the procedure as it scans your body. This procedure could take a few minutes. Earplugs or headphones are offered during the actual test. You can even listen to your favorite music during the procedure.

You should remain very still during the exam to obtain the highest quality images.

You may feel the area of your body being imaged to be slightly warm. If this is a problem, tell the radiologist or technologist.

The technologist can see you at all times and will be able to talk to you. With an intercom system, two-way communication can take place while you are inside the scanner. You will also have a call button in your hand that you can use to push if you have difficulty or concern.

In some of the studies you may require an MRI using contrast. The doctor will, however administer the contrast material by IV injection before the test is performed. The shot may be a bit uncomfortable but is usually painless and only lasts a few moments. Some patients also bruise easily around the area where the injection was made. Other patients report having a metallic taste in the mouth afterward, which passes within minutes.

You may be claustrophobic or uncomfortable when undergoing the test; if this is the case, your doctor might prescribe you a sedative medication or even anesthesia.

How long does a brain MRI take?

This procedure will take 30 minutes to an hour. If you are being administered a contrast brain MRI, then it would take much longer.

Your physician will be able to give you a more specific time frame based on the reason for your scan.

How long will it take to get the results of the test?

After your MRI, a radiologist will interpret the images taken. The radiologist will forward the signed report to your primary care physician, who will discuss the findings with you. The report is usually provided to your healthcare provider within one to two days.

You may need to come in for a follow-up study. Your healthcare provider will explain why.

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