How safe are MRI examinations and are there any risks?
January 12, 2024 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Nina Bergmann
Dear Doctor,
My name is Tatiana Schlosser and I have some questions regarding MRI examinations. I was recently referred by my primary care physician to radiology for an MRI examination. However, I have concerns about the safety and possible risks associated with this type of examination.
My primary care physician explained to me that MRI examinations are used for diagnosing various diseases and injuries, as they provide detailed images of the inside of my body. He also told me that MRI examinations are generally safe, as they do not use ionizing radiation. This reassured me somewhat, but I still worry if there may be other risks that I am not aware of.
I read online that there may be allergic reactions to the contrast agent used in MRI examinations. But since my doctor did not mention anything about a contrast agent, I wonder if I need to worry at all. Additionally, I read that people with metal implants or pacemakers may have certain risks with MRI examinations. I wear braces myself and wonder if that could be a problem.
Could you please explain to me in more detail how safe MRI examinations are and if there are risks I should be aware of? Are there any special precautions I should take before undergoing the examination? I want to make sure that I am well informed before undergoing an MRI examination.
Thank you in advance for your help and understanding.
Sincerely,
Tatiana Schlosser
Dear Mrs. Schlosser,
Thank you for your questions and your interest in MRI examinations. As a radiologist, I am pleased to explain more to you about the safety and possible risks of this examination method.
First of all, it is important to understand that MRI examinations are generally safe and do not use ionizing radiation, as is the case with X-ray examinations, for example. Instead, MRI is based on the application of a strong magnetic field and radio waves to generate detailed images of the inside of the body. This makes MRI particularly suitable for diagnosing soft tissue injuries, tumors, inflammations, and other conditions.
Regarding allergic reactions to contrast agents, it is important to know that not all MRI examinations require a contrast agent. The contrast agent is only used in certain cases to make certain structures in the body more visible, such as blood vessels or tumors. So if your doctor has not mentioned anything about a contrast agent, there is probably no cause for concern.
As for metal implants or pacemakers, it is indeed important to inform your treating physician about such implants before undergoing an MRI examination. Metallic implants or other metal parts in the body can cause artifacts on the MRI images or even injuries due to the strong magnetic field. In your case with braces, however, there is usually no risk as braces are typically made of non-magnetic materials like stainless steel.
To ensure that the MRI examination is safe for you, you should also make sure not to wear any metal items such as jewelry, piercings, or watches, as these can be attracted by the magnetic field. It is also important to inform your doctor about previous surgeries, allergies, or other health problems to ensure that the MRI examination is suitable for you.
Overall, MRI is a safe and effective examination method that generally does not pose serious risks. By following the precautions mentioned above and informing your treating physician about possible risk factors, you can be confident that the MRI examination is suitable for you.
I hope that I could answer your questions thoroughly and provide you with a better understanding of the safety of MRI examinations. If you have any further questions, I am at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Nina Bergmann
