Having an MRI scan (Imaging Department)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an imaging tool that uses a powerful magnet to scan your body.

The MRI scanner is a tube which is open at both ends. You can be seen at all times by the Radiographer.

The MRI scanner has a weight limit of 250kgs. Your referrer will need to make alternative arrangements if you are over this weight.

The MRI scan can help in the diagnosis and treatment of your health condition. There is no use of ionising radiation or X-rays.

The decision to use MRI contrast or Buscopan® (a muscle relaxant) is based on the body part being scanned and information your doctor has provided for the scan.

MRI contrast (Gadolinium) is used to enhance the bodies’ organs, tissues and blood vessels which help the Radiologist make a diagnosis. Without the contrast, the Radiologist may not be able to provide a full diagnosis. There are some scans where MRI contrast is essential and the scan cannot proceed without it. The contrast is excreted from your body when you go to the toilet. There is evidence that some people retain some of the contrast longer than expected. There are currently no known side effects regarding this retention.

Buscopan® is a muscle relaxant used to relax involuntary muscles like your bowel. This allows for less blurry images when scanning your abdomen and pelvis areas. Without Buscopan®, some images maybe blurry which can make it difficult for the Radiologist to provide a full report.

It is the patient's choice whether to undergo the scan without either MRI contrast and/or Buscopan®.

Like all medications, there is a small risk of side effects or an allergic reaction to gadolinium. The most common side effects are itching, nausea or vomiting. These are usually soon after the injection. Please inform the Radiographer if you experience any symptoms. If you experience any symptoms once you leave the hospital, please contact your local Accident and Emergency department.

After having Buscopan®, very rarely patients can develop pain and redness in both eyes, which occurs in the 24 hours after the test. If this happens, please attend the Accident and Emergency Department at your local hospital for a check-up.

MRI scans are not suitable for everyone. The Radiographers must be 100% certain that you meet the safety standards before entering the MRI scanning room. There are no known risks of having an MRI if you meet the safety standards. You will be sent a safety questionnaire to complete with your appointment letter. Please fill in this before your appointment. If you answer yes or are unsure to any of the questions with an asterix * please contact the Imaging department on in the first instance at uclh.referrals.imaging.booking.office@nhs.net or phone 0203 456 7002 (Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm).

Some MRI scans require MRI contrast (Gadolinium) to be administered through a vein. If you have a history of chronic renal kidney disease (CKD), awaiting or had a liver transplant or you suffer from Renal (Kidney) Impairment/Failure contact your referrer to organise a blood test for renal function (eGFR). The test result should be up-to date or dated within 6 months of your appointment date. You may not receive this contrast injection if your eGFR result is too low. The Radiologist will review your medical history and make this decision.

Your referring doctor will discuss alternative options with you.

Imaging alternatives will need to be discussed with your referrer. It may be possible to have your scan at an Upright MRI Scanner. This scanner is not suitable for all MRI scans.

Your appointment letter will include questionnaires that are essential for the MRI scan. Please complete these before your appointment. If you answer yes to any of the questions with a * beside it, please email or call the Imaging department.

You will receive a ‘Patient Information’ leaflet with your appointment letter explaining the examination. Some scans require you not to eat or drink for a set time before the examination, please read the letter carefully. All medication can be taken as normal with a small amount of water.

You must arrive 20 minutes before your appointment time unless stated differently in your appointment letter.

After you have checked in at reception, you will be greeted for your scan by a member of the MRI team. During your preparation time the Radiographer will check your questionnaires with you and explain the MRI examination. This time is also used for you to get changed and administer a cannula if required, lock your valuables away and a chance for you to ask any questions. For some specialist procedures you may have to arrive 1 hour before.

Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the exam. If you prefer to wear your own clothes, please wear clothes without zips, metal fasteners, metallic thread or any metallic or magnetic components.

For safety reasons your belongings cannot go into the MRI scanning room, this includes your shoes. There are small lockers outside the MRI room for your belongings. If possible, please leave your valuables at home.

For some MRI scans an injection of contrast is a routine part of the examination. A cannula (a small plastic tube with a needle) will be placed into your arm and will remain in for the length of the scan. The cannula is used to administer the contrast and sometimes a muscle relaxant. If you have difficult veins to cannulate/take blood, please email/ring the department using the contact details provided.

Claustrophobia

If you are claustrophobic, we recommend you talk with your referring doctor or your GP who may prescribe medication to help you relax. We cannot prescribe this medication for you in the MRI department. Please inform the Radiographer if you are claustrophobic or anxious. Alternatively, it may be beneficial for you to try our wide bore scanner although this scanner may not be suitable for everyone. A new appointment may need to be arranged for an alternative date.

Difficult Veins

If you have difficult veins (vascular access) when having an injection or blood test, we can offer services to assist with your appointment. Please contact the Imaging department so we can discuss your needs in the first instance at uclh.referrals.imaging.booking.office@nhs.net or phone 0203 456 7002 (Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm).

Pregnancy

If you have reason to believe that you may be pregnant or are pregnant, please inform the Imaging Contact Centre before starting any preparation and before attending your appointment.

To date, there have been no reported effects from MRI to the unborn child. As a precaution we advise against scanning in the first trimester. If you are pregnant and require an MRI scan you can discuss this with your referrer. The MRI request is reviewed by a Radiologist to ensure MRI is the right scan for you.

Breastfeeding

The Royal College of Radiologists advise no special precautions are needed for a breastfeeding patient as there is no evidence of risk to the child. The decision to continue or refrain from breastfeeding for 24 hours should be at the discretion of the patient in consultation with their referrer.

Specialised scans

Some MRI scans may need extra resources and support from Radiologists or the Medical Physics team. These scans are usually done on weekdays between 9-5.

Interpreter Services

If you require the services of an official hospital interpreter, please inform your doctor that has referred you for your scan or contact the Imaging Department.

You may bring along a relative, carer or a friend who speaks and understands English to translate for you.

Hospital Transport Services

If you use hospital transport or have mobility impairment, please contact the department. Your appointment will be reviewed to ensure your appointment is scheduled appropriately for your individual needs.

Childcare

We are unable to offer childcare facilities. If you need to bring your children with you, please bring along somebody who can look after them while you are being scanned.

We want to involve you in all the decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to go ahead with the scan, by law we must ask you to consent to the test. This confirms that you agree to have the procedure and understand what it involves. The doctor that refers you for the scan will explain the risks, benefits and any alternative tests. If you are unsure about any aspect of your scan please do not hesitate to speak to either your doctor, or the Radiographer who will carry out the scan. You can withdraw your consent at any time.

You will be asked to lie on the scanner. Some scans you will lie head first and others feet first. This is determined by the type of scan you are having. The body part that is being scanned must be in the middle of the MRI scanner to obtain good quality images.

The MRI scanner is very sensitive to movement so it’s important you are still throughout the scan. The Radiographers will make you as comfortable as possible.

You will be given a contact buzzer. If you experience any problems, you can squeeze the buzzer and the Radiographer will talk to you and if required come into the room.

Most scans take 30-40 minutes whereas others may take up to and over an hour.

The MRI makes a loud knocking sound which changes throughout the scan. You will be given earplugs that must be worn to help reduce the noise. You will also be given headphones which allow the Radiographer to communicate with you when necessary. The table may vibrate during some scans and the table may move in and out of the scanner. This is all normal.

During the scan you may experience tingling in your hands and feet and may feel an increase in body temperature. These are normal sensations. Please use the contact buzzer if you feel uncomfortable.

If you have had a cannula inserted, it will be removed and you will be able to get dressed and go. You may eat and drink as normal following your scan unless you have other tests on the day with instructions not to eat or drink.

You will not receive your results immediately. The images will be reviewed by a Radiologist (a specialist doctor in interpreting MRI scans) and a report is sent to your referrer. If you are unsure who referred you for the MRI scan, you can check with the Radiographers or Imaging Reception. If you do not already have an appointment to return to the clinic, you should contact your clinic to arrange this appointment.

• University College Hospital London
• The Department of Health
• The NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries website
• The Royal College of Radiologists
• Canadian Glaucoma Society Buscopan Position Statement, 2019
• Joint position statement from the Royal College of Radiologists and the British Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiologists: Guidance regarding MHRA alert 20 February 2017: Hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan) injection: risk of serious adverse effects in patients with underlying cardiac disease, 2017
• The Royal College of Radiologists. Guidance on gadolinium-based contrast agent administration to adult patients. London: The Royal College of Radiologists, 2019
• The UCLH Children and young people’s website has information and short films made with our patients about having an MRI and other hospital treatments.

Other NHS hospitals that specialise in children provide information for MRI and other hospital treatments:

• Evelina Children’s Hospital
• Great Ormond Street Hospital

UCL Hospitals cannot accept responsibility for information provided by other organisations.

• Royal College of Radiologists
• Gadolinium
• Buscopan®

UCL Hospitals cannot accept responsibility for information provided by other organisations.

UCH Switchboard

Tel: 020 3456 7890

Imaging Booking Centre 8am-8pm Weekdays

(To change or cancel an appointment)

Tel: 020 3456 7002

Email: uclh.referrals.imaging.booking.office@nhs.net

Hospital Transport Services

Tel: 020 3456 7010

Email: Uclh.transport.department@nhs.net

Website: www.uclh.nhs.uk

The MyCare UCLH patient portal gives you the ability to view information about your care on your computer, mobile or tablet. It enables you to securely help manage and receive information about your health.

• View your health summary at UCLH.
• View appointments and prepare for upcoming appointments by providing information.
• Request changes to your medical appointments.
• View test results.
• Access trusted health information resources.
• Communicate electronically and securely with your care team.

Registering with MyCare

Using the internet browser on your computer at https://mycare.uclh.nhs.uk/mycare/

You can also access it through an app on your mobile device. The mobile version of MyCare UCLH runs on the MyChart app provided by Epic.

To register, you will need an activation code. Please talk to a member of staff.

Please read your appointment letter carefully as there are several locations for our MRI scanners.

Public transport for: 

University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

16-18 Westmoreland Street, London, W1G 8PH

Tube

The nearest tube stations, which are 10-15 minutes’ walk are:

Baker Street (Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Bakerloo, Circle, and Metropolitan lines)

Bond Street (Jubilee and Central lines)

Regents Park (Bakerloo Line)

Overground trains

Marylebone railway station is within 20 minutes’ walk.

Bus

Bus services are as follows:

From Bond Street station: 7, 8, 10, 25, 55, 73, 98, 176.

From Marylebone Road: 18, 27, 30.

From Portland Place: 88, C2.

Please note: You can travel on buses using an Oyster card or contactless payment card. Buses are no longer able to accept cash to pay for your bus fare.