Pediatric Imaging

MRI Procedure

What is an MRI?

MRI stands for "Magnetic Resonance Imaging." An MRI is another way for doctors to take pictures of the inside of your body. It is different than an X-ray in that MRIs take better pictures of soft tissues (parts of your body which are not made of bone) or parts of your body that would be hidden by your bones in a typical X-ray. Your brain, your muscles and your heart are parts of your body that might need to have an MRI.

You probably have heard of magnets before. You may even have them on your refrigerator at home. You know that if you hold a magnet close to the refrigerator, it feels as if it is being tugged gently toward it. This is why your drawings and spelling tests can stay on the refrigerator.

The camera that is used to take pictures during an MRI is really just a big magnet. You are probably wondering how this big magnet can take a picture of the inside of your body. It is a different type of magnet and it attracts small parts inside your body. A refrigerator magnet cannot stick to you and neither can the magnet of the MRI. You cannot feel or see this attraction but you can hear the magnet taking your picture. Since it is a big magnet, it makes a loud sound, like a knocking noise.

Sample sound clips of an MRI exam at medium and highvolume.

Do not worry, both you and anyone else who is in the room with you during the MRI will be given ear plugs to protect your ears from the loud noise. At the end of the MRI, you and your doctor will be able to see the picture that was taken.

Magnet A magnet attracts things made of iron.

What do I have to do before the MRI?

When you come to the hospital for the MRI, you and your parents will check in at the Pediatric Waiting Area and Playroom. Depending on your age and the part of your body that is going to have its picture taken, you may be given some medicine that will make you sleep during the MRI. Your doctor will let you know if this is going to happen and in this case you might not be able to eat for a few hours before coming to the hospital. (Parental Guidelines for Your Child’s Sedation) If you are going to sleep during the MRI, both you and your parents will meet with one of the fun pediatric radiology nurses before the examination.

You will meet your nurse in the Pediatric Waiting Area and Playroom. The pediatric radiology nurses will make sure that you change into special hospital pajamas and will remind you to take off anything that might be made of metal like necklaces, barrettes or buttons. The nurse will also weigh you on the scale. The nurse is the person who is going to give you some medicine to help you sleep during the MRI. You will feel a pinch when the nurse gives you the medicine but it will be over before you can count, 1, 2, 3 and he or she will also give you some fun stickers.

What will happen during the MRI?

The nurse will take you and your family into the procedure room with the MRI scanner. The MRI is a big camera with an opening in the center. The technologist will help you lie down on a bed that is part of the MRI scanner. This bed can move up and down, and also slides into the MRI. The technologist will slowly slide the table toward the scanner. Your mom or dad will be able to stay with you in the MRI scanner room and can even hold your hand while the pictures are being taken. There is a special mirror inside the MRI which lets you see outside the MRI as well as your own face. There is also a microphone inside so that the technologist can hear you at all times. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, just speak up and the technologist will help you. It is very important to stay very still while the MRI pictures are being taken. If you move too much during the MRI, the pictures will be fuzzy and the doctor will not be able to see your insides very well.

The technologist will leave the room when it is time to take the pictures but your family can stay in the room with you. The technologist will be in a room with a big window, so that he or she can see you at all times. He or she will also talk to you and tell you what is happening. You will hear some loud "knocking" noises when the MRI is taking the pictures and will have earplugs to protect your ears from the sounds.

Remember that the MRI scanner will never touch you and you won’t feel anything. Even if the nurse hasn’t given you some medicine to help you fall asleep, some kids end up falling asleep anyway…you are lying on a bed in pajamas after all! The whole procedure lasts about as long as your favorite TV show. Once you are done, the technologist will come back into the room and move the table away from the camera. Then you can change back into your clothes and you can go home with your family!