MRI Scan of Brain and Sinuses

Today I experienced the machine.

• Remove all metallic items



• Climb onto trolley and lower head onto head cradle



• Radiographer encloses head with top of cage



• I can keep my eyes open or close them ... I close them



• Trolley moved into machine and into position



• I must not move



• The radiographer gives me an alarm button to push for dire emergencies



• I think about the fact that this is costing about £700 and I must not move



• The machine starts up a hammering and simultaneous engine-like noise for five minutes



• I must not move and ignore the itch on my nose



• Machine stops I take a deep breath and exhale slowly while some faint classical music can be heard



• 'Are you alright Mrs H?' 'Yes thank you'. 'Another four minutes scan now'



• This sequence was repeated about six times with slight differences in scanning times and change of pitch in knocking noises.



• At last it finished! I was liberated from the machine and allowed to leave! It was to rule out sinusitis or brain lesions as cause of the aforementioned headache.