Your child is having an MRI scan factsheet

[Guest guest]

Information for families

Your child is having an MRI scan

Please use the indexes below to find the factsheet you need.

Or search the full alphabetical index:

Top

Top

Top

Top

Top

Download PDF of 'Your child is having an MRI scan' factsheet

Contents

Introduction

What is an MRI scan?

What does the MRI scanner look like?

Can anyone have an MRI scan?

What are the risks?

Are there any alternatives to having an MRI scan?

What happens before the scan?

What happens during the scan?

What happens after the scan?

Introduction

This leaflet explains what to expect when your child comes to Great Ormond Street Hospital for an MRI scan.

What is an MRI scan?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) creates detailed pictures of the body and uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves rather than x-rays. An MRI scan is usually carried out as a daycase which means that your child will arrive at the Hospital, have the scan and go home on the same day.

What does the MRI scanner look like?

The MRI scanner looks like a tunnel that your child has to lie inside to have the pictures taken. If your child is having an MRI scan of the brain, he or she will need to wear a helmet which goes around the head but does not touch the head. The scanning itself makes loud banging noises and you and your child will be given ear plugs to muffle some of the noise. If you think that the play specialist can help with the preparation of your child for the scan please ring the MRI unit.

Can anyone have an MRI scan?

It is safe for most people to have an MRI scan. However, they may be unsuitable for people with pacemakers, surgical clips or metallic implants, because the scanner emits a strong magnetic field. If your child suffers from claustrophobia or a needle phobia please contact the MRI unit.

What are the risks?

There are no risks associated with MRI scans - they are painless and generally quick and there are no after effects.

Are there any alternatives to having an MRI scan?

X-rays and other scans can tell a certain amount about your child's body, but an MRI gives pictures that are more detailed. This can help your child's doctor make a diagnosis.

What happens before the scan?

Your child's doctor will have discussed with you whether your child is likely to need sedation. Older children may be able to lie very still without sedation.

If your child requires medication or pain relief usually, please give this.

Your child will be able to keep his or her clothes on for the scan, so should wear a loose and comfortable outfit. As the scanner emits a strong magnetic field, you and your child should not wear anything with metal poppers or zips.

On arrival at the MRI department, staff will ask you and your child some routine questions. You will be able to stay with your child during the scan unless you have a cardiac pacemaker, metal implants or clips, dental braces or a history of any metal fragments in the eyes. If this is the case it could be unsafe for you to be in range of the magnetic field. You will be asked to remove any metallic objects like jewellery, watches, keys, pens or cards with metallic strips, such as cashpoint cards and train tickets. If you are in the first three months of pregnancy you should not enter the scanner room because, although it is unlikely, the magnetic field could affect the baby.

In order to see how a particular part of your child's body is working more clearly, your child may need to be given a small amount of 'dye' which is harmless and shows up well on the scan pictures. This is given into a vein with a needle. We will put some local anaesthetic cream onto the injection site, usually the back of the hands, to numb the skin.

What happens during the scan?

The scan can take 20 minutes to an hour depending on the scans required. Your child will lie on a table which slowly slides into the MRI scanner at the beginning but does not move during the scan. You will be able to stay close by your child during the scan.

What happens after the scan?

You will be able to take your child home after the scan. Your child should not suffer any after effects and should be well enough to go to school the day after the scan.

A consultant radiologist will examine the MRI pictures and send a report to your child's doctor who will discuss them with you at your clinic appointment.

Your child's MRI scan

If your child has a cardiac pacemaker, metal implants or clips, dental braces or a history of any metal fragments in the eyes, please call us before you come in for a scan.

If you think that your child will be unable to lie very still during the scan, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can arrange sedation for him or her.

PIG 2001/221

This information does not consitute health or medical advice and will not necessarily reflect treatment at other hospitals. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor. No liability can be taken as a result of using this information.

Directory of factsheets

Back to the top

© GOS/ICH Trust 2001

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH

Tel: +44 (0)20 7405 9200, Fax: +44 (0)20 7829 8643

and The Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WCIN 1EH

Tel: +44 (0)20 7242 9789, Fax: +44 (0)20 7831 0488