What is MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic imaging technology that uses a strong magnet and radiofrequency waves to produce pictures or "images" of your internal organs and structures. Because MRI allows your doctor to see inside your body from any angle with great clarity, it is giving doctors a wealth of information more quickly and in many cases, more economically than past tests and exploratory surgeries

Don't Mix

Magnets and Metal Don't Mix

When you first enter the MR clinic, you must let your MR physician or technologist know if you have a pacemaker, surgical clips, a prosthesis, metal implants or any other metal objects in your body. Some implants (e.g., a pacemaker) may be affected by an MR examination. The clinic personnel will then determine whether or not you should proceed with the MR examination.

Any metal materials that might be affected or attracted by the powerful magnet used for MR imaging should be left at home or given to the MR staff for safekeeping. This list includes your watch, coins, keys, bobby pins, credit cards, pocket knives, etc.

You should also be certain that you are reasonably clean of metal flakes or slivers on your skin, as found in some eye make-up or as a result of working around metal finishing or grinding equipment.