MRI Information

What is MRI?

MRI is a term used in magnetic resonance imaging, MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The biggest advantage of the procedure is that it does not have the slightest adverse effect. No pain, no physical intervention and especially no radiation exposure.

The examination is performed using a special MRI device, the main part of which is a very strong magnet.

MRI can also detect a number of diseases that are not X-rayed. The test is completely painless and safe, with no known side effects, but in some cases an MRI test cannot be performed.

Benefits of MRI  

  • It does not involve radiation exposure, so it does not have a harmful effect on the body  
  • It is a painless procedure and has no side effects  
  • Accurate, reliable diagnostic procedure 
  • It has no long-term harmful effects on the body 
  • It can also be used as a screening test with high-risk patients

What can be examined by MRI? 

Almost any organ can be examined with an MRI. A detailed list of MRI scans is available here: 

MRI scans types

In different regions or body landscapes, organ-specific diseases can be detected and differentiated 

In what cases is an MRI scan necessary?

  • To detect brain diseases (eg tumour, dementia) 
  • In case of sports injuries (eg cartilage detachment) 
  • For locomotor problems
  • Exploring ear, nose and throat conditions 
  • For examination of soft tissue (tendon rupture, disc herniation, tissue abnormalities) and bone 
  • To assess spinal conditions (tumour, spinal cord pressure, disc herniation, fractures)
  • In vascular disorders
  • For female pelvic problems
  • To prevent breast cancer when looking for breast cancer
  • For prostate problems
  • Most common indications: headache, dizziness, cerebral occurrence, metastasis, injury, spine or joint problems 

What does the MRI procedure look like?  

  1. MRI scan is performed by specialised staff at our Partners   
  2. You usually need to lie still in the MRI machine in a supine position.   
  3. An MRI scan usually lasts 20 to 40 minutes, but it depends on the area being examined and whether the scan is contrast-enhanced.    
  4. In the examination room of our partners the magnetic field is strong, due to the risk of accidents, it is necessary to leave all metal objects in the undressing booth. But each of our Partners will provide detailed information on what to do before the investigation begins.  
  5. The assistant will monitor the test throughout so she can react immediately to your signals.
  6. Upon completion of the examination, you will receive the completed MRI result within the deadline and in the manner specified by the respective Partner.

What tools are used to perform MRI scans?     

Open MRI machine

An open MRI machine makes it easier to examine patients anxious for confinement. With such machines, usually with 0.4 Tesla performance, a joint examination (shoulder, hip, knee, ankle) can be performed in addition to the spine.  

The big downside is that the result will be much lower quality due to the much weaker magnet.  

Closed MRI machine

Our partners usually have 1.5 Tesla strength MRI machines available.

With these machines, in addition to spinal and joint examinations, several other areas can be examined :, skull, skull MRA, sell, orbital, facial skull, abdominal and pelvic examinations.

What information do we need for booking an appointment?  

  • name, date of birth, phone number and email address. We handle this data in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
  • your measurements  (To find out if it will fit in the machine) and whether any metal / foreign matter is implanted in your body.

Online appointment booking is currently not available on our website.
If you have any questions, please contact us via the website’s form.
Thank you for your understanding.

When is it not possible to have an MRI scan?

  • In the presence of a medically implanted foreign body.

Examples include pacemakers, implanted hearing aids, various implants: ear, cochlear, vagus nerve stimulators, brain shunt, insulin pumps, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, certain types of prosthetic valves, metal shards (eg in the eye), other medical implants.

  • In case of magnetizable foreign bodies (eg fractures) or in case of metal implants (eg surgical prostheses, aneurysm or brain clip)

In general

In the case of implanted medical devices and implants, the patient must inform our examination partner in advance. In all cases, we ask for written documentation to prove the presence of medical equipment and implants, so that a decision can be made as to whether an MRI examination can be performed.  

The test can be performed:

Titanium and its alloys 

The implanted titanium and its alloys cannot be magnetized due to their nature and low electrical conductivity, they allow MRI examination

Furthermore, if the magnetically reactive metal can be removed, an MRI scan can be performed.  .  

Pregnancy

MRI can be performed during pregnancy, no adverse fetal effects have been shown in connection with MRI. However, no contrast agent should be given during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Examination using contrast

The contrast material makes it easier to see the conditions of the soft tissues and blood vessels, and we can get a more accurate picture of the location, size and type of a lesion during the MRI examination.  

For most MRI scans, a smooth (native) MRI scan without contrast material is sufficient. However, due to the advantages of contrast media, there are scans that can only be performed with contrast media. This will be decided by your doctor or radiologist.

Contrast-enhanced MRI is not recommended in patients with kidney disease, as the compound cannot be eliminated from the body. Also, contrast testing should not be performed during pregnancy.