MRI Scan: Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways

• No specific preparation is required in most cases, but any metallic implant or foreign body must be reported before the exam.
• Fasting is generally not necessary, except for certain abdominal or specialized exams.
• On the day of your appointment, wear clothing without metal components to simplify preparation.
• An MRI takes between 15 and 60 minutes depending on the area being examined. Allow an average of 1.5 hours for the entire visit.
• The machine's sounds are normal and harmless. Earplugs are always provided.
• Gadolinium is only injected when necessary. Staying well hydrated after the exam helps eliminate it from the body.
• Claustrophobia is manageable — mention it when booking your appointment so the right solution can be found for your situation.
• MRI exams are not covered by the RAMQ, but may be covered by the CNESST, SAAQ, IVAQ, or private insurance depending on your situation.

Table of Contents

• How do I prepare for an MRI?
• Do I need to fast before an MRI?
• Do I need to undress for an MRI?
• What are the steps of an MRI exam?
• How long does an MRI exam take?
• Why is an MRI so loud?
• MRI with or without contrast injection: what's the difference?
• How do I avoid panicking during an MRI if I'm claustrophobic?
• Can I drive after an MRI?
• How much does an MRI cost?

How Do I Prepare for an MRI?

In most cases, an MRI requires no specific preparation. However, a few important precautions are necessary.

The machine uses an extremely powerful magnetic field. Any metallic object can be violently attracted by the magnet, posing a real risk of injury to the patient.

This is why any implant (pacemaker, prosthesis, surgical clip, stent) or metallic foreign body must be reported before the exam. These implanted devices can be displaced, disrupted, or overheated by the magnetic field.

📋 Good to know — Some implants are MRI-compatible, others are not. If you have an implanted medical device, bring its identification card if possible. It contains the exact specifications of the device and allows the radiologist to quickly verify its compatibility.

Do I Need to Fast Before an MRI?

In most cases, a standard MRI does not require fasting. You can eat, drink, and take your regular medications as usual before your appointment.

There are exceptions, however. For certain abdominal or liver exams, fasting for a few hours may be requested to reduce artifacts caused by digestive movement and to improve image quality. For an MRI enterography (small intestine examination), specific preparation is required.

💡 Tip — When booking your appointment, you will be given precise instructions based on the type of exam prescribed.

Do I Need to Undress for an MRI?

Depending on the area being examined, you may be asked to remove certain clothing and put on a gown. In all cases, any metallic object must be removed before entering the exam room: jewelry, piercings, watches, hair clips, belts, removable dentures, and hearing aids.

📌 Tip — On the day of your appointment, choose comfortable clothing without metal components: no zippers, no metal buttons, no underwire bras. This will save you from having to change completely and will speed up preparation.

What Are the Steps of an MRI Exam?

From your arrival at the Radiologie Dix30 clinic to the delivery of your images, here is how your visit in Brossard unfolds.

Check-in and administrative formalities: You register at reception, present your health insurance card and your prescription. A pre-exam medical questionnaire is given to you — take the time to fill it out carefully, as this is the step where potential contraindications are identified. If a gadolinium injection is planned, an IV line is inserted before the exam.

The exam itself: You lie down on the table, generally on your back with a cushion under your knees for comfort. The table slowly moves into the machine. The technologist guides you from the control room and gives you the necessary instructions. A call bulb is available to you at all times to communicate with them. You are never alone.

Results delivery: Once the acquisition is complete, the radiologist interprets the results within 24 hours and sends the report to your referring physician within 2 to 5 days.

How Long Does an MRI Exam Take?

The duration of an MRI exam varies depending on the area being examined and the number of sequences required:

• 15 to 20 minutes: MRI of the knee, ankle, wrist, or shoulder.
• 30 to 45 minutes: Abdominal MRI, pelvic MRI, or brain MRI with gadolinium injection.
• 45 to 60 minutes: Full spinal MRI or multi-segment MRI, as several regions must be covered successively.

💡 Tip — Allow at least 1.5 hours total for your entire visit, including check-in and preparation. It is recommended not to schedule other appointments immediately afterward.

Why Is an MRI So Loud?

An MRI produces rhythmic, repetitive, and sometimes intense sounds during image acquisition. These sounds are caused by the gradient coils — powerful electromagnets that switch on and off rapidly to alter the magnetic field and generate the different imaging sequences. These vibrations produce knocking, buzzing, or hammering sounds that vary by sequence. These noises are completely normal and harmless.

📋 Good to know — Earplugs are always provided by the clinic to improve your comfort during the exam.

MRI With or Without Contrast Injection: What's the Difference?

MRI produces images with high contrast density, sufficient for the majority of exams. However, in certain cases, the injection of a contrast agent allows for better visualization of certain lesions, particularly in oncology, neurology, or vascular imaging.

The contrast agent used is gadolinium. Although it is generally well tolerated, our team reviews your allergy history and checks for the absence of kidney disease before any injection. After the exam, staying well hydrated helps the kidneys eliminate the product.

📖 Definition — Gadolinium is a metal with particular magnetic properties. Once injected, it alters the signal emitted by certain tissues, enabling better visualization of lesions, their extent, or their vascularity.

How Do I Avoid Panicking During an MRI If I'm Claustrophobic?

Claustrophobia is a common and entirely understandable concern when facing an MRI. The good news is that the majority of patients manage their symptoms for the duration of the acquisition.

Mention your claustrophobia when booking your appointment so our team can discuss appropriate solutions with you. Options may include:

• Visiting the clinic beforehand to see the exam room. This simple step often helps to demystify the experience and assess your actual comfort level.
• Keeping your eyes closed as soon as you are positioned on the table, and keeping them closed throughout the exam. This is a simple but often very effective strategy for reducing the feeling of confinement.
• Taking an anti-anxiety medication, prescribed by your doctor.

💡 Good to know — For lower limb exams such as the knee, ankle, or foot, the head generally remains outside the tunnel, so the sensation of confinement is much less pronounced.

Can I Drive After an MRI?

In the vast majority of cases, you can drive immediately after your MRI appointment.

There are two main exceptions:

• If an anti-anxiety medication was prescribed to manage claustrophobia, driving is contraindicated for the hours following the exam.
• In the case of an MRI arthrography of a lower limb, joint pain related to the injection may temporarily make driving difficult.

Depending on your health condition, do not hesitate to have someone accompany you.

How Much Does an MRI Cost?

At the Radiologie Dix30 clinic, an MRI costs between $735 and $1,250 depending on the area examined and whether a gadolinium injection is required. MRI exams are not covered by the RAMQ, and costs are the patient's responsibility.

You can consult the full fee schedule on our MRI page to find out the exact cost of your exam.

If your exam is related to a workplace accident, a road accident, or a criminal injury, it may be covered by the CNESST, SAAQ, or IVAQ respectively. In these situations, pre-authorization is required before booking an appointment. Our team will assist you with the process.

📋 Good to know — Coverage through private insurance may also apply depending on your policy. Check with your insurer before your appointment.

The team at Radiologie Dix30 welcomes you 365 days a year in Brossard, on the South Shore of Montreal. Equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology, our specialists perform all types of MRI exams. Send us your prescription by fax at 450-904-0405 or by email at info@radiologiedix30.com to schedule your appointment.