MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. This type of scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of your body.
The scanner is a tube wide enough for you to lie inside. It contains powerful magnets. MRI scans can be used to examine virtually any part of your body. They are effective at:
- diagnosing and monitoring conditions.
- assessing how effective treatment has been.
- planning new treatments.
If you have suspected colon or rectal cancer, an MRI scan can be used to confirm the diagnosis and determine what stage the cancer is at.
Doctors can scan the whole of the bowel and surrounding organs to see if the cancer has spread.
During an MRI scan, you will lie on a flat bed that moves inside the scanner. Your whole body will enter the scanner, either head first or feet first, depending which part of your body is being scanned.
The radiographer who is operating the scanner will sit in an adjacent room. You will be able to talk via an intercom and they will be able to see you at all times during the scan on a monitor.
You will be given earplugs or headphones to wear during the scan, as the scanner will make loud tapping sounds at certain points. This is the electric current in the scanner coils being turned on and off.
MRI scans are painless and safe however you may find it claustrophobic being inside the scanner. Talk to the radiographer if you feel uncomfortable, as they will be able to offer you support.
MRI scanning does not exposure your body to radiation, which means they are safe for people who cannot normally have CT scans, such as pregnant women. They are not advisable for people with certain types of implants, such as a pacemaker. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.
The whole scan will take between 15 to 90 minutes depending on the size of the area being scanned.
