Deutsch Home | Services | Experience | Technology | FAQ | Refering Physicians | Contact

Better informed. The fmri examination and points to be taken into consideration. Answers to frequently asked questions. Frequently asked questions What is fmri and how does it work? Can scanning prevent disease? Can anybody have an fmri scan? Is there any danger in having an fmri scan? What do I have to do to prepare myself for an fmri scan? Should I avoid eating certain things before the fmri scan? Does it hurt? Will I feel anything? I’ve heard that some MRI scanners induce claustrophobic reactions. Does yours? Will my insurance cover the cost of the fmri? Do I need a doctor’s prescription for an fmri? What should I bring with me when I come for my fmri? What will the fmri staff want to know about me? How should I dress? Will I have to wear any special clothing? What will happen? Do I have to lie very still? How long will it take? Will I be able to drive after I have the exam? Will I be getting an injection? Is it OK to have an fmri if I’m pregnant? Can someone else stay with me in the MRI scanner room? When will I find out the results? Is transportation available? Where is the fmri zentrum located? What should I do if I can’t make the appointment? What if I’m ill? What is fmri and how does it work? fmri stands for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. An MRI scanner allows physicians to look inside the body without using surgery, harmful dyes, or X-rays. The MRI scanner uses magnets, radio waves and computers to produce very clear pictures, or images, of the human anatomy. MRI images, depict soft tissue anatomy far better than any other diagnostic imaging equipment. The fundamental discovery upon which MRI is based was made by Raymond V. Damadian, M.D. in 1971. Dr. Damadian built the world’s first whole-body MRI scanner in 1977, and his company, FONAR Corporation, introduced the world’s first commercial MRI scanner in 1980. Top of page Can scanning prevent disease? No, however the procedure can help us in the early detection of diseases, which if caught early offer the best chance of successful intervention. Top of page Can anybody have an fmri scan? Most people can have an fmri scan. However for some people, an fmri can be dangerous, even fatal. If you have a cardiac pacemaker, you should not have an fmri. It can be fatal. There may be certain parts in the pacemaker that may be adversely affected by the magnetic field of the MRI scanner, causing the apparatus to malfunction or cease operating. Other Potential Dangers: Aneurysm clips in the brain. Some aneurysm clips are MRI safe; some aren’t. You must check with the surgeon who installed the clip to be sure the manufacturer has tested it and found it to be MRI safe. Other Potential Dangers: Neurostimulators Heart Valves Metal Implants Drug Infusion Devise/Pump Ear Implants Hearing Aid (The MRI can damage it.) Inferior Vena Cava filter Metal Objects in Eyes Surgical Staples or Wires Bone or Joint Replacements Metal Plates, Rods, Pins or Screws Contraceptive Diaphragms or Coils Permanent Dentures Penile Implants Shrapnel Pregnancy Vascular Coils and Filters If any of the above applies to you, it MAY BE DANGEROUS for you to have an fmri exam. Be sure to make the technologist and staff at the fmri center aware, and also tell the doctor who prescribed the exam. They will be able to tell you if it is safe for you to have the fmri exam. In most cases you will be able to have the scan, but please leave that decision to the professionals. Note: Anyone accompanying the patient to any area near the MRI scanner is subject to the same dangers. Top of page Is there any danger in having an fmri scan? For most people having an fmri scan is safe. However for some people it can be very dangerous, even fatal. Click here to see if it is safe for you to have an fmri. Top of page What do I have to do to prepare myself for an fmri scan? The first step is to be certain that it is safe for you to have an fmri scan. If you are not certain, click here. Preparing for an fmri exam is easy. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you may take your medications as usual. There are no food or drink restrictions. The only unusual preparation for an fmri scan is that all removable metallic objects must be left outside the scanning room. These include jewelry, keys, watches, coins, eyeglasses, removable hearing aids, dentures and prosthetic devices. Credit cards should not be brought anywhere near the MRI magnet. Since they are magnetically coded, the MRI’s magnet, which is very powerful, can easily corrupt the information stored on them. Top of page Should I avoid eating certain things before the fmri scan? There are no food or drink restrictions. Top of page Does it hurt? Will I feel anything? You won’t feel a thing. Unlike many other MRI scanners, ours are quiet, comfortable and non-claustrophobic. Top of page I’ve heard that some MRI scanners induce claustrophobic reactions. Does yours? Our scanners are all Open MRI’s. There are no tunnels, no tubes. Ours are quiet, comfortable and non-claustrophobic. Top of page Will my insurance cover the cost of the fmri? Most likely. Top of page Do I need a doctor’s prescription for an fmri? Yes. Be sure to bring it with you when you come for your fmri exam. Top of page What should I bring with me when I come for my fmri The prescription from your doctor. Your insurance card. Top of page What will the fmri staff want to know about me? The receptionist and MRI technologist will ask you questions about your medical history. They will check to see if it is safe for you to have an fmri scan. If you are not sure if it is safe for you, click here. The receptionist will also ask you for certain insurance information, so bring your insurance card with you. Top of page How should I dress? Will I have to wear any special clothing? When it comes to how to dress for an fmri exam, the main thing to realize is that metal can degrade or ruin MRI pictures. Therefore, you should wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing (no dresses or skirts for modesty reasons), but keep in mind that metal must be avoided in or near the region where you are going to be scanned. To feel totally at ease, we suggest you bring comfortable clothing with you (T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms). Here are some examples: If you are going to have a scan of the lower spine (lumbar spine) or the abdomen area, don't wear clothing or under-clothing that has metal on it in that area. For example, a body suit that has snaps in the crotch, or pants with fasteners or a zipper will cause a problem. Sweats with no eyelets would be fine. Also, body-pierced jewelry in that region must be removed. If you are having a scan in the head or neck area, remove all makeup (some makeup has metallic particles in it) and all metallic items such as hair clips, earrings, and facial jewelry, including body-pierced items. Notify the technologist if you have any facial tattoos, such as eyeliner or eyebrow tattoos. If you are having a scan in the chest area, or upper torso, avoid clothing and under-clothing with metal hooks or fasteners. For example, a bra with metal wires, a sweatshirt with metallic decorations or body-pierced jewelry in that region will cause a problem. Top of page What will happen? Depending on the type of MRI scanner and the type of scan your doctor ordered, the MRI technologist may wrap a special belt (actually an antenna) around the region of your body that is to be scanned. If you are having a head scan, your head will rest in a special fixture. Once you are comfortably positioned, the technologist will start the scan. At that point, all you have to do is be as still as you can until the fmri exam is over – the stiller the better. The reason you have to lie still is that movement blurs the MRI images. Depending on what your doctor ordered and the area being scanned, the procedure will take between 15 and 45 minutes. The MRI technologist will be able to tell you how long it should take. You won’t feel anything, but you will hear some low-volume, intermittent, rumbling noises throughout the scan. These sounds are normal. Our scanners are very quiet in comparison to “tunnel” MRI scanners whose sounds are sometimes described as firing machine guns or rattling garbage cans. A microphone will be placed near you so you will be able to speak to the staff at any time during the exam. If you like, someone can be with you in the scanner room, provided it’s safe for the person to be there. (A visitor is subject to the scanner’s magnetic field too. So please make sure it is safe for the visitor to be in the scanner room. Click here for a discussion on fmri safety.) It is common for a parent to stay with a child. In fact, we encourage it. Top of page Do I have to lie very still? Yes – as still as you can. The more still you are during the scan, the better the MRI image will come out. Moving causes blurring in the picture. If you move too much, the pictures will be too blurry for the radiologist to see what he needs to see, and you will have to reschedule for another fmri exam. Top of page How long will it take? That depends on what part of the body is to be scanned and whether or not your doctor has ordered any special or extra scans. Normally, the entire exam takes between 15 and 45 minutes. Top of page Will I be able to drive after I have the exam? Yes. The fmri has no known physiological side effects. However, if you have taken a sedative, there may be some restrictions. Top of page Will I be getting an injection? Not likely. In certain situations, it may be necessary to inject a patient with a contrast agent in order for the proper diagnosis to be made. Your referring doctor will make that decision. In our experience, approximately 5 to 10 percent of patients require a contrast agent. For example, fmri exams of regions containing scar tissue from a previous surgical procedure are often best evaluated with the aid of a contrast agent. The contrast agent is injected intravenously into the arm. The procedure is performed by a qualified healthcare professional. There are potential side effects. If you require the contrast agent, you will be made fully aware of possible side effects prior to the injection. Top of page Is it OK to have an fmri if I’m pregnant? If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, you must first consult with the physician before you have an fmri scan. You must also inform the staff at the fmri scanning center. It has not been shown that fmri is harmful to unborn children. However, if you choose to have the fmri, you will be asked to sign a consent form, which must also be signed by your OBGYN. Top of page Can someone else stay with me in the MRI scanner room? Yes. Since our MRI scanners are open, there is ample space for someone to accompany you into the scanner room, even hold your hand during the scan. Warning: The person accompanying the patient will be exposed to the scanner’s magnetic field just as the patient is, so please make sure it is safe for the visitor to be there. Click here for more information. Top of page When will I find out the results? You won’t find out at the time of the scan. The results or your fmri examination will be faxed and/or mailed directly to your doctor, normally within 24 hours. In turn, your doctor will explain them to you. Technologists are not qualified to interpret fmri examinations, nor are they allowed to, so please don’t ask them for their opinions. Top of page Is transportation available? If a patient is unable to get to the scanning center on his/her own, special arrangements can sometimes be made. If you need transportation, call the scanning center and request it. Top of page Where is the fmri zentrum located? Click here for the access information. Top of page What should I do if I can’t make the appointment? If you can’t attend your appointment please telephone us on +41 (43) 888 3300 to rearrange for another day. Top of page What if I’m ill? Cold symptoms should not affect the scan, however if you cannot make the appointment for any reason, please telephone us on +41 (43) 888 3300 to rearrange for another day. Top of page