Having an MRI Scan (8-16 years)
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, it uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to take pictures of the insides of your body.
Is an MRI scan safe?
There are no known side effects from having an MRI scan. Because the scanner uses a big magnet, we will have to ask you some questions to make sure that you have nothing magnetic inside your body.
Preparing for the scan
Because of the strong magnet, you cannot take anything magnetic into the scan room with you, this includes mobile phones, tablets, ear pods, money or any jewellery. Please make sure that all jewellery is taken off, you will be able to put all of your things into a locker to keep them safe.
You may need to get changed out of your clothing if they have metal bits, like a zip. We will give you a hospital gown to wear and a private changing room to get ready in.
Your parent/guardian/ accompanying adult can stay with you inside the scan room, during your scan, if you want.
About the scan
The Radiographer will take you into the scan room and you will need to lie on the table. The MRI scanner is a bit noisy, so you will be given MRI safe earplugs and headphones. We can play music of your choice to you through the headphones. Depending on what part of the body we are scanning, you may have some bits of equipment placed over that area, this is so that we can get the best images possible.
You will need to keep really still for the whole scan, which can take between 15 to 40 minutes. The Radiographer will not stay in the room during the scan, so you will be given a squeezy ball to hold so that you can talk to them, if you need to.
You will be moved into doughnut shaped machine for your scan to begin. The machine will not touch our hurt you.
Information for Parents, Carers, Guardians and Accompanying Adults
An MRI scan can take between 15 to 40 minutes and shows much more details than ordinary x-rays. If you wish, you can sit in the scan room with the child/ young person during the scan, but you will need to complete a “chaperone” form first and not have any contra-indications for being in the scan room. You will also need remove any metal objects that you may have on you.
Your clinician will have assessed whether this is the best type of scan in order for them to get the images and information that they need to help with their care, and they have decided that the benefit of having this done is far greater than any possible risks. The is no radiation involved with an MRI scan.
Due to safeguarding considerations, it is not possible for our staff to provide childcare arrangements. We recommend that if you need to bring other children with you that another responsible adult is available to take care of them, otherwise this may result in the examination being postponed.
A Radiologist will review the images from the MRI scan and write a report that will be sent back to the clinician that referred the patient for the scan.
More information
If you have any more questions or worries, please contact the department: 0121 812 3370 /