Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a modern imaging technique that produces cross-sectional images using a strong magnetic field and radio waves.

MR imaging is characterised by the following advantages:

• Excellent imaging of soft tissue structures such as the brain and its vessels.
• No radiation exposure and therefore particularly gentle.

For each examination, the individual measurements are specially adapted to each patient, their clinical problem and their complaints. As a result, the examination time of individual body regions can vary greatly. As a rule, an examination lasts between 20-30 minutes.

As the MRI involves a large magnet, certain metals or implants must not be worn in or on the body during the examination. During registration and planning, our secretariat will clarify everything necessary with you and make the necessary preparations for the examination together with you.

Directly before the examination, you will receive an information sheet and questionnaire from us, which our radiology specialists (MTRA) will go through with you.

For some questions, a contrast medium containing gadolinium is necessary (at the SNRI, only complex-bonded gadolinium is used, i.e. without the risk of storage in the body). This allows vessels to be visualised and tissues, such as the vessel wall, to be better differentiated. The contrast medium is usually very well tolerated. If you suffer from allergies or have previously had an intolerance to contrast media, we would ask you to inform us in good time.

MRI in brief:

• no metals or implants, no movement
• sometimes a contrast medium is necessary
• you wear special clothing
• MRI makes relatively loud noises, music may be heard
• we see and instruct you
• you can talk to us at any time

The examination requires you to wear special clothing. After you have changed, you will be prepared for the examination by our MTRA.

Our latest generation 3T MRI from Siemens has a large tube opening and a comfortable couch where the MTRAs will position you for the examination. When the MRI is in operation, it produces knocking noises. To suppress this noise and for your comfort, you can wear headphones and listen to music during the examination.

Our MTRA can see you and communicate with you via an intercom system. If you feel uncomfortable, you can use a bell to make yourself heard.
 For optimal image acquisition, it is important that you do not move during the entire examination. Even the smallest movements (e.g. eye movements) cause image interference. It is best to keep your eyes closed during head examinations.

After the examination, your images will be post-processed by MTRA and then analysed and assessed by the radiologist. The images are stored in our findings portal for 15 years in accordance with data protection guidelines. You can access them there at any time.