Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) creates highly detailed images of the body’s internal structures. However, the MRI waiting list for an NHS MRI can be long, leaving patients waiting and worrying often for more than six weeks. Thankfully, private MRI waiting times are much shorter and often do not involve a GP referral process.
MRI is one of the most powerful diagnostic procedures when interpreted by a specialist doctor. Consequently, if you have health concerns or unexplained pain or discomfort, accessing MRI via a private healthcare provider can help you reach an accurate diagnosis.
Here, we’ll explore how MRI works, how to access a private MRI scan and what to expect during your scan.
Understanding MRI scans and their uses
What is an MRI scan?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced medical imaging tool and diagnostic test. MRI scans produce detailed images of the inside of the body, particularly soft tissues, organs and bones.
Unlike X rays or CT scans, MRI does not use ionising radiation. Instead, it uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create images. In some cases, to create more clear images, you will need to have a contrast agent.
During an MRI scan, a magnetic field temporarily affects tiny particles called protons within the body’s tissues. Radio wave pulses then alter their position, and as they return to normal, they release energy.
This energy is detected by the scanner and converted into detailed cross-sectional images, sometimes in 3D. These detailed pictures allow MRI to detect subtle differences between healthy and damaged or injured tissue.
Common health conditions diagnosed with MRI
MRI can diagnose injuries and medical conditions affecting most parts of the body. They are used to create detailed images of internal organs, bones, including the spine, and other soft tissues, such as cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Brain MRI is used to diagnose brain tumours, problems with blood vessels (eg aneurysms on dedicated angiogram scans), degenerative brain conditions and traumatic injuries. Meanwhile, spine MRI can detect the causes of spinal cord nerve compression.
Cardiac MRI can diagnose heart conditions, such as congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart valve problems and heart wall thickening.
Abdominal MRI can investigate abdominal pain and swelling and detect medical conditions affecting the kidneys, liver, pancreas and gallbladder.
Joint MRI can help diagnose sports injuries and detect bone infections, bone tumours and arthritis.
MRI is also used to investigate conditions affecting the reproductive organs. This includes ovarian, womb and prostate cancer, as well as non-cancerous conditions, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, prostatitis and an enlarged prostate.
How to get rapid access to private MRI
At Vista Health, in many cases, you can self-refer for a private MRI scan to avoid lengthy diagnostic waiting times for NHS MRI.
This means you don’t need a referral letter from your GP or another healthcare professional. Simply book online and select our priority service for MRI appointments within 7 days, which includes options for a weekend MRI scan.
Note that there are some instances where you will need a GP referral eg for a prostate MRI scan.
What to expect during a private MRI scan
Preparing for your scan
Before scan day, your care team will let you know if you need to have a contrast dye. If you do, you may be asked to fast for a certain number of hours before your scan.
On the day, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown. You’ll be asked to remove any metal objects from your body. This is because metal may be attracted to the magnet, heat up or interferes with the clarity of the scan images. If you have metal implants that aren’t compatible with MRI, you may need to have a different type of scan. Our Radiographers will ask you some questions to establish if it is safe for you to have an MRI.
Most metal implants today, such as cochlear implants and pacemakers, are MRI compatible. But you should still let your care team know if you have an implanted medical device.
The scan procedure
You will be asked to lie down on a patient table that will be slid into the MRI machine. The part of your body being scanned needs to be in the centre of the machine which is open at both ends at all times. In some cases, you can choose to have an open MRI, where the MRI scanner has openings on 3 sides.
When your scan begins, you’ll need to lie still to ensure clear images are created. You’ll hear loud banding, clicking and knocking noises – these are the normal sounds of the MRI machine working. You will be given special earplugs and headphones to protect your hearing and reduce the noise. If the noises bother you, your care team can provide you with music to listen to.
If you’re wondering, ‘how long does it take?’, it’s anywhere from 15–90 minutes. It depends on which body part is being imaged.
Receiving your MRI results
At Vista Health, we aim to email you a report with your MRI results within 3 working days of your scan. Your report will be written by an experienced consultant radiologist.
You can discuss what your MRI scan results mean for you with your NHS GP or with an expert Vista Health GP. Armed with these expert insights, you can make an informed decision about next steps, which may involve consultant led treatment.
Book your private MRI now
If you want rapid access to a private MRI scan, self-refer with Vista Health and choose our priority service. You’ll receive a scan appointment within 7 days, so you can avoid unnecessary waiting.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-an-mri
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/mri-scan/
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/guide-to-nhs-waiting-times-in-england/