Abdominal MRI- How to Prepare

On the day of your abdominal MRI, wear comfortable loose fitting with no metal fasteners to your appointment. However, you may be asked to wear a gown during the exam.

Guidelines about eating and drinking before an MRI exam vary with the specific exam. Unless you are told otherwise, you may take food and medications as usual.

Tell your radiologist or technologist if you have any serious health problems, or if you have recently had surgery. Some conditions, such as severe kidney disease may prevent you from being given contrast material for an MRI.

Although non-contrast MRI exams are safe in pregnancy, women should always inform their radiologist or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

What you can expect during a abdominal MRI:

You will be asked to lie flat on your back on the moveable examination table.
Devices that help with the imaging may be placed around or on you.
If a contrast material is used, an IV will need to be placed.
The table will move into the magnet of the MRI unit.
Some of the imaging may be quite loud and if so, ear protection will be provided.
MRI includes multiple sequences, some of which last for several minutes.
If a contrast material is being used, it will be injected into the IV after an initial series of scans. Additional images will be acquired during or following the injection.
When your MRI is completed, you may be asked to wait until the technologist or radiologist checks the images in case additional images are needed.
Your IV will be removed.
Depending on the type of exam, the entire exam is usually between 30 to 50 minutes long.

Learn how to prepare for abdominal MRI.

Learn the benefits and risks of abdominal MRI.