Chest MRI

What is a chest MRI?
Why do I need a chest MRI?
What are the risks of a chest MRI?
How do I prepare for a chest MRI?
What happens during a chest MRI?
What happens after a chest MRI?

What is a chest MRI?

A chest MRI (which stands for magnetic resonance imaging) is a scan that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take detailed pictures of the structures inside your chest and chest wall.

Why do I need a chest MRI?

Your doctor may recommend a chest MRI to look for or diagnose:

What are the risks of a chest MRI?

MRIs are generally considered safe because they don’t use radiation. Still, there are some risks.

If you have a metal implant in your body (for example, an artificial heart valve, a pacemaker, or a defibrillator) you may not be able to have an MRI. Some of the newer metal implants are MRI-safe, so check with your doctor before taking the test.

If you’re pregnant, or if you have any kidney problems, the MRI may need to be modified. Discuss your options with your doctor.

If you have claustrophobia (a fear of confined spaces), an MRI scan can be challenging. Please make MRI staff aware.

How do I prepare for a chest MRI?

You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for your MRI. You can eat and drink normally in the days leading up to the test.

Before your MRI you will fill out an MRI safety questionnaire. Just before your MRI begins, you’ll need to remove all jewellery and any metal objects. You will be asked to put on a hospital gown.

What happens during a chest MRI?

During your chest MRI:

  • You will lie very still on a table
  • The table will slide into a large cylinder (the MRI machine)
  • The MRI machine will take detailed pictures of the structures inside your chest
  • You’ll be instructed to hold your breath for 10 seconds as each picture is taken
  • The MRI machine will make loud humming, tapping and buzzing noises as it takes the pictures
  • The MRI technicians will be able to talk to you using headphones.

The scan takes around 30-45 minutes.

What happens after a chest MRI?

After your chest MRI, you can return home and resume your normal activities. You will need see your doctor as soon as your test results are available. Your doctor will discuss your results with you and recommend a treatment plan for the future.