MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

MRI safety and screening

MRI is a safe exam to get images, provided that certain rules are followed.  The magnets are very strong, and patients will be exposed to radio waves and changing magnetic fields. 

Please contact us before your appointment if your child has had any surgeries with devices implanted outside of SickKids, especially if unknown/undocumented devices were implanted.  

Screening process:

1. We encourage patients and families to complete the pre‑screening form in MyChart one month before your appointment. This helps our team plan appropriately for your exam.
2. The full screening form will be available two days before your appointment on MyChart to help you save time on the day of your visit. It can also be completed upon arrival to the MRI Department, prior to the MRI scan.  An example of the MRI screening questions can be found in the link below.

The safety screening form must be completed accurately and will be reviewed with the MRI technologist to ensure that it is safe to proceed with the exam.

SickKids MRI Patient Screening Form

Preparation for all patients

Preparation for parents/caregivers:

Patients who need extra support during the scan may have one parent or caregiver accompany them into the room at the discretion of the MRI Technologist. The parent or caregiver must be screened, remove all jewelry, hair pins, and loose metal objects. They will need to complete and review a screening form with MRI Technologist prior to entering the MRI room. 

MRI scans with specific guidelines

Dress your child comfortably in clothes that are easily removable (sweatshirts, t-shirts). Your child will be given hospital pyjamas or gowns to change into for the MRI. Preparation instructions will vary between different scans. If your child has a condition that makes it difficult to change them, a gown or set of pyjamas could be picked up and dressed in for the MRI appointment. 

Hearing protection must be worn in the MRI room as provided by the MRI Technologist. The MRI staff at SickKids will ensure that the machine, equipment and exams are tailored to meet the unique needs of each paediatric patient. 

Under General Anesthesia

For MRI exams requiring a general anesthetic, the patient must fast for up to eight hours. See a list of guidelines for fasting before general anaesthetic: 

• 2 hours for water/ clear apple juice (not cider) (no substitutions) 
• 4 hours for breast milk 
• 6 hours for non-human milk (i.e. cow, goat, soy) & infant formula 
• 8 hours for solids 
• For patients with specific dietary concerns (Keto-genic diet), the medical team will provide specific fasting instructions.  
• Failure to follow fasting instructions may result in MRI cancellation 
• If your child has any respiratory symptoms before their General Anesthesia appointment, please contact the number above for the MRI Front Desk to speak with a nurse. The exam may need to be rescheduled. 
• For more information on General Anesthesia What is general anesthesia? 

Non-Sedation Abdominal MRI Scans

• • For specific exams such as, Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE):
    • You will be asked to fast (no food or drink) prior to the exam (4 or 6 hours) - instructions will be communicated by telephone. 
  • If your child is being sedated or put asleep for this exam, please follow fasting guidelines above. 

MRI with contrast

For the MRI exam, your child may be given a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) through an intravenous line (IV). This contrast agent makes certain body structures light up in MRI pictures. Not all MRI studies require a contrast agent. IV contrast, as requested by the Radiologist, can help us provide the earliest and most accurate diagnosis. MRI Personnel will assess any concerns at the time of MRI screening.  

In case of an allergy to contrast, additional precautions may be necessary. Please speak with your primary care provider about contrast allergies. 

Wonderful Alternatives to General Anesthesia and Sedation (WAGS) 

We offer a variety of different services to help alleviate anxiety and reduce the need for sedation and general anesthesia (GA). Please see the link below for additional information. 

• Feed & Sleep (Under 6 Months) 
• Therapy Dogs 
• MRI Simulation 
• Child Life Specialists 
• Movies/ Music 

Visit Wonderful Alternatives to General Anesthesia & Sedation.

Day of exam

When you arrive

You will have to fill out a screening form (if you have not filled it out on MyChart). Your child will have to change into hospital clothing or pyjamas.  If your child is wearing period panties or athletic underwear, a disposable substitute will be given to change into. For patients receiving contrast or anaesthesia, an IV will be inserted in your child’s hand, arm, or foot.  The MRI Technologist will explain the exam and review the patient screening questions with the parent or caregiver. For patients requiring additional support from a parent or caregiver, they will also be screened at this time. Your child will then enter the MRI scanning room with the technologist. We can provide a blanket if needed. 

• If needed, the person accompanying will be asked to sit near the scanner. 
  • You may bring something to read but it must have no staples. 
  • You cannot bring your cell phone or electronics into the MRI room. 
• Ear plugs must be inserted into your child’s ears for the MRI to safely proceed. Headphones might also be added. Parents must wear earplugs in the MRI room and may wear headphones. Hearing protection is mandatory in the MRI room. 
• The technologist will position your child on the MRI table based on the type of scan being performed. 
• While many children are on their backs, some scans require children to lie on their side, headfirst or feet first. Special surface coils may be placed on top of the patient to get better pictures. 
• We strive to make your MRI experience as comfortable and timely as possible. While we do our best to keep appointments on schedule, emergencies can sometimes cause delays. Thank you for your understanding and patience. 

During the exam

Once comfortable, a red light will help align the patient’s body to the correct position. Your child will then enter the tunnel of the MRI scanner. Depending on their position and loud scanner noises, your child may not be able to see you or talk with you. 

After the technologist leaves the scanning room, the MRI will begin. The MRI scanner makes sequences of loud noises. There will be a brief pause after each sequence. The technologist will instruct your child through a speaker in between scans. The technologist will ask your child to hold still during the scan to avoid any blurring. 

The MRI scan can take between 30 and 60 minutes for each body part. While some patients do not require sedation for their MRI, others may benefit from emotional or medicinal support.  Because children are smaller, they are usually not as challenged by the size of the tunnel that is the inside of the MRI. Regardless of your child’s needs, the MRI team is there to help your child get the needed images in the safest and kindest way possible. Child Life specialists are available from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to help prepare and support your child during the scan. A Child Life specialist can be present at your child's appointment to explain the process to your child and help them adjust to the hospital experience. 

After the exam

If your child received contrast, give your child plenty to drink during the day. If your child received anesthesia, follow any instructions given by the Anesthesiologist and nurses.

Videos

Watch an MRE tour on YouTube

Watch Fern Learns MRI on YouTube

Want to learn more about what an MRI is? Come along with Fern the Therapeutic Clown and her trusty pal Stinker as they discover what it's like to get pictures taken by an MRI camera. This is a great resource for young school aged children who are completing a non-sedated scan.

Requisitions

• View the SickKids MRI Requisition
• View the SickKids MRI Patient Screening Form

Please take the time to review patient screening and implants before referral. Full patient screening may be completed on MyChart two days prior to the appointment. We need specific information on implants from surgeries performed outside of SickKids.  We need to know where the surgery/procedure was performed along with implanted device name(s), model number (or catalog number or reference number) and manufacturer to proceed with MRI. Incorrect information may result in a delay of your scan or a cancellation. 

For ordering healthcare providers, please inform patients of any implants (name, model (not lot number) and manufacturer). For ear tubes, please let families know if they are plastic. Incomplete requisitions may result in delays and be returned to the refers.