MRI Scan - Prostate Test

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It produces pictures from all angles all around the body and shows up soft tissues very clearly. An MRI scan creates pictures using magnetism and radio waves. It can show abnormal areas in the prostate gland. You can do MRI before biopsy. This helps the doctors to examine which areas of the prostate to sample.

You can also do the MRI scan if you had a biopsy that didn’t show cancer cells, but you have a high PSA level or other symptoms. An MRI can help a doctor to decide that you need a second biopsy or not. You need to wait for few weeks before having an MRI after your first biopsy.

There is no special preparation for the scan. You can take your regular medicines and eat and drink as normal. Some radiologists may ask you to have a liquid diet for 24 hours before the MRI scan. Before the examination begins, you will asked few questions regarding artificial joints or pacemakers in the body. It may cause harm to your body due to the strong magnetic field of MRI machine. If you have a heart pacemaker, you have to share it with the radiologist in advance. Please carry documents or information about the metal implants inside the body so that scan can be done safely.

You will be placed on a moveable examination table. With the help of straps and bolsters, you will find your correct position during imaging. Coils can be placed adjacent to the body being studied.

You will be placed in the MRI machine and radiologist will complete the examination on the computer in aseparate room. When the examination is completed, you may be asked to wait till the radiologist check the images, if in case, a few more images are needed. The whole process maybe completed in 45 minutes or less.