What happens during an MRI scan?

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.

• Upon check-in, you will be asked to complete a medical history form. This form includes questions about implants inside the body, previous surgeries, and tattoos. The imaging technician needs this information to ensure that the scan can be performed safely.

• If you prefer, you can fill out the medical history form at home in advance.

• If you have a doctor's referral for the scan, it will contain medical findings from your physician’s examination.

• If you do not have a doctor's referral, please describe the reason for the scan in your own words on the medical history form so that the imaging can be planned according to your symptoms.

The technician will guide you to the changing room, where you can change your clothes if necessary.

• The medical history form will also be reviewed verbally in the changing room.

• You must remove all loose metal objects (e.g., jewellery, watches, hairpins) before the scan. Bringing metal into the MRI scanner can distort the images. The technician monitoring the scan will notice any interference immediately, and the metal must then be removed.

• Any medical patches, blood glucose sensors, and piercings should be removed before the scan.

• If necessary, you will be instructed to change into hospital clothing instead of your own clothes.

Positioning for the MRI scan

The technician will position you correctly in the MRI scanner.

• The scan is performed in a tunnel-like MRI machine that is open at both ends, well-lit, and ventilated.

• You will enter the scanner feet-first or head-first, depending on the area being examined.

• A coil will be placed under, over, or around the scanned area to help generate the images.

• The type of coil used depends on the body part being scanned, which is why it is important to determine the exact scanning area beforehand.

• You will be given hearing protection (either headphones or earplugs) to wear during the scan.

• You will also receive an alarm button, which allows you to contact the technician if needed.

During the MRI scan

The technician will monitor you from an adjacent room throughout the examination.

• It is important to remain completely still during the scan to avoid blurring in the images.

• The MRI scan takes 15–30 minutes per scanned area.

• During the examination, the technician plans the imaging sequences from outside the scanning room.

• The technician can see the image sequences during the scan and will inform you if there is any movement affecting the images.

• If you experience discomfort, such as an uncomfortable position, you can use the alarm button to notify the technician.

After the MRI scan

You will receive a radiologist’s report after the scan.

• The radiologist’s report will be available in the online service within 1–3 business days.

• If your scan was ordered with a doctor’s referral, the referring physician will also receive the results in the online service.

• The radiologist’s report is written using medical terminology to provide the treating physician with detailed anatomical and diagnostic findings.

• If an electronic image transfer agreement has been established between SYNLAB and your healthcare provider, your MRI images can be transferred to their digital archive. You can submit an image transfer request here.