The thought of an MRI scan can be overwhelming. However, you may be aware that MRI scans are one of the most powerful diagnostic tools available. It gives an in-depth insight of the happenings inside your body. You no longer have the hassle of getting the MRI scans for the brain in Indianapolis. At the Affordable MRI Center, we provide brain MRI scans at one of the most affordable rates.
The brain is one of the quintessential body parts and compromising your brain health can be disastrous. Depending on your symptoms and overall health, the doctor may recommend MRI scans for the brain. Getting MRI scan services for the brain in Indianapolis is now a call away at the Affordable MRI Center. You may reach out to us at 317-284-1978 to book your appointment or learn more about our services and operational hours.
What is an MRI scan of the brain?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI is a painless procedure of diagnostic imaging. The purpose of head MRI is to capture the inside details of your brain for in-depth diagnosis. Doctors may recommend an MRI for the brain in many cases including accidents, head injuries, underlying diseases, tumors, etc.
MRI scans use radio waves and large magnets to capture images. There is no use of radiation like those in X-rays. Apart from MRI, other diagnostic imaging for the brain are X-rays and CT scans. However, comparatively, MRI scans are the most sensitive and offer more precision than other diagnostic imaging techniques.
MRI scan for the Brain: The process
MRI scans are painless. However, the MRI machine may cause anxiety in some people. The MRI process may take up to 30-60 minutes depending on the type of MRI scan you go for.
Check out the process of MRI scans for the brain:
Step 1: Medical examination
In your first visit, your doctor will thoroughly examine your health condition. If there is a need for an MRI scan, you shall proceed with the same. MRI Center, you can access precise and the most affordable scans.
Step 2: Preparations for MRI scan
On the day of your appointment, your radiologist will assist you in preparing for the MRI scans. You must remove metal objects like ornaments, watches, or hair clips. At the clinic, you will receive the hospital gown that you need to wear during the MRI scan process.
People who are claustrophobic are given sedation before the scan.
Step 3: Lie on the MRI bed
Once you are ready, your radiologist will ask you to lie down on the MRI scan bed
Step 4: Head coil
The patient needs to wear a helmet sort of head coil. Some clinics offer a head coil that has a mirror in front so you can look outside of the scanning machine. It also makes you feel less anxiety and is usually helpful for claustrophobic people
Step 5: The scan
The scan bed will slide inside the machine. You need to stay stable and still throughout the procedure. When the scanning begins, you may hear noise due to radio waves.
The sounds of scanning can be loud and may last for minutes. So, you may use headphones or earplugs to safeguard your ears.
Step 6: To conclude
The radiologist is in constant touch with the patient. Using the microphone available, you may talk with your radiologist so you can share with them how you are feeling or in case of any unusual discomfort.
After the scanning ends, the tray slides out of the MRI scan machine. You may then relax and walk out of the room.
After some time, you may be able to collect the MRI scan reports from our clinic. During the procedure, feeling anxious or heat on body parts is normal. However, if you experience extreme heat or discomfort, make sure to convey the same to your radiologist.
MRI Scan with contrast
MRI scans can be of two types and one of these is the MRI scan with contrast. Here, the term contrast refers to a dyeing agent, gadolinium. Patients who require more precise MRI scan images may have to go with contrast MRI scans.
During the preparation step, the doctor will inject gadolinium through intravenous. The patient may relax for a while and then go for an MRI scan. Once the process is over, the gadolinium automatically flushes out of the body. So, there are no such effects of gadolinium in your body. At the Affordable MRI Center, we perform MRI scans for the brain in Indianapolis with contrast.
MRI Scan without contrast
As the name may suggest, MRI scans without contrast refer to plain MRI scans. Unlike with contrast, there is no use of gadolinium in this type of MRI scan. The patient may directly go for MRI scans. If you are looking for MRI scans for the brain in Indianapolis without contrast, you may book your appointment today at 317-284-1978.
Conclusion
MRI scans for the brain require you to stay still during the process. The precision of imaging also depends on how stable and still you can stay inside the machine. Your radiologist will help you understand the process so you can maintain calm during the procedure. The scanning procedure may take up to an hour in the case of contrast MRI scans for the brain. Having someone with you who can drive you home after the scan can be a good idea. Although MRI scans are painless, claustrophobic people may receive sedation that may have effects for some time after the scanning. So, in such cases, you may need someone with you to drive you back home.
Affordable MRI Center is one of the leading and most affordable clinics for MRI scans. Booking an appointment is super easy with us. All you need to do is drop us a call at 317-284-1978. Our team is always available to answer your queries and assist you with MRI scan requirements. We are located in Indianapolis. You may visit our clinic today to quickly get precise MRI scans.