MRI scans

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses a magnetic field rather than x-rays to take pictures of your child’s body. The MRI scanner is a hollow machine with a tube running horizontally through its middle.

At Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), children can have the scan under sedation, under general anaesthetic, or without either. For more information, please visit:

• Your child is having an MRI scan under general anaesthetic
• Your child is having an MRI scan under sedation
• Your child is having an MRI scan without sedation or general anaesthetic
• Your child is having an MRI scan using 'feed and wrap' technique
  

Watch our short video film about having an MRI or listen to our audio podcast. If you would like further advice about preparing your child for the scan, please ring the department’s play specialist on the numbers below.

Your child may need this scan so that their doctors can get detailed pictures of the size and shape of part of your child’s body. Various types of scan such as CT, ultrasound and x-rays can show the size and shape of parts of your child’s body but not in as much detail as an MRI scan. The information from the scan is then used to plan their treatment.

Children having the scan under sedation or general anaesthetic will need to ‘fast’ or stop eating and drinking for a while beforehand. Fasting is not needed for scans without sedation or general anaesthetic unless stated in the appointment letter.

Small babies often have a ‘feed and wrap’, that is, they are given a feed and then wrapped tightly in a towel. Usually, babies doze off when this is done so lie still during the scan.

Your child will need to lie on the bed for the scan. Depending on the part of their body being scanned, they may need to have a coil over part of their body or wear a head coil (this will not touch their head). When your child is in the correct position, the radiographer will move the bed inside the scanner and then go into the control room.

When the scan has finished, the radiographer will move the bed out of the scanner. Your child can then get up and leave if they have not had sedation or a general anaesthetic, or will be moved into the recovery area to wake up from the sedation or general anaesthetic.

There are no risks associated with MRI scans. They are painless quick with no lasting effects. The scanner does not touch your child during the scan. MRI scans are not suitable for people with certain metal implants inside them (pacemakers or surgical clips) because the scanner emits a strong magnetic field. This is why we carry out a thorough metal check before your child has the scan.

Before we book the scan, the MRI nurse will need to assess your child, either in the department or over the telephone. Once they have decided how best your child can have the MRI scan, we will book a date and send you more detailed information about preparing for the scan. As so many children and young people need to use our services, we have had to introduce a policy where if a child cancels or does not attend two appointments in a row, we will close their referral and inform their GOSH consultant.