MRI Head and Brain Scan: Info and Get a Scan

Head and brain MRI scans are one of the most commonly scanned parts of the body. 22 per cent of all MRI scans performed are of the head. An MRI scan is a powerful diagnostic tool that can identify trauma or abnormalities in the head and brain. There are several scenarios where you might need to have an MRI of your head or brain, including changes in behaviour, pain, or even blurred vision.

Although this is a common, routine procedure, the idea of having a diagnostic scan of such an important part of your body can be a little frightening. However, if you are armed with the knowledge of what to expect, it can make the idea of the procedure much less daunting. In this guide we will discuss how the procedure is performed, the structures the scan will identify, and how you can prepare for the procedure.

What is a Brain and Head MRI?

A brain and head MRI scan is a quick, painless magnetic imaging test that produces detailed images of the head and brain using radio waves and powerful magnets. It highlights the blood vessels, different brain tissue, surrounding tissues and the top of the spinal cord. 

Brain MRI vs Head MRI

The terms “brain MRI” and “head MRI” are often used interchangeably to describe the same thing - an MRI scan of the head to create detailed images of the inside of the skull and the entire brain to include the blood vessels and nerves, to diagnose or rule out brain disorders and injuries.

What does a Head MRI Show?

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) head scan is a non-invasive procedure meant to identify possible trauma or abnormalities. The scan works by taking images–called slices–as the MRI moves across three planes:

• Sagittal - From side to side
• Axial - From top to bottom
• Coronal - From front to back

By taking images across these different planes, the radiologist can build a detailed picture of the important structures in your brain. Including:

• Bones
• Veins and Arteries
• Lateral Ventricles
• Third Ventricle
• Thalamus and Basal Ganglia
• Brain Lobes
• Cerebral Cortex
• Meninges
• Brainstem
• Cerebellum
• Any additional soft tissues

This allows the radiologist to identify potential abnormalities that could be signs of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or trauma such as a concussion. Each part of the brain plays a different role in how we function. Therefore it’s important to accurately identify the area of potential damage to determine a correct diagnosis.

What is the purpose of a Head MRI?

The purpose of an MRI is to examine areas of your brain and surrounding bones, muscles, and other soft tissues.

The brain is a complex organ. In your wrist or knee, if you are experiencing a problem it typically comes in the form of pain or swelling in that particular area. However, your brain controls every aspect of your body. Therefore if you are experiencing an issue in your brain the symptoms can present themselves in a multitude of ways. For example, you may experience:

• Dizziness
• Loss of Motor Function
• Headaches
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Hormonal Changes
• Blurred Vision
• Memory Loss

These symptoms could be a sign of a serious issue within your brain since each part is responsible for a different task. An MRI’s ability to produce images across three different angles gives the radiologist the ability to pinpoint which part of the brain is being affected and potentially causing your symptoms.

As with any medical diagnosis, early detection increases the chance of a successful treatment plan. Therefore if you are experiencing any concerning symptoms it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. If you require an MRI, you should consider going to a private MRI centre. At one of our MRI centres, you can receive an appointment up to 6 times faster than through the NHS.

What a Brain and Head MRI Can Diagnose

MRI scans of the head and brain are routinely used to diagnose head and brain disorders such as migraines or a brain injury, and long-lasting, chronic neurological conditions, including dementia and multiple sclerosis. You may have an MRI scan of your brain if your doctor is diagnosing or ruling out any of the following neurological disorders: 

Brain Tumours

A growth, or tumour, in the brain tissue can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous), and an MRI scan will differentiate between the two. 

Stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted or blocked, causing damage to the brain tissue.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MS causes lesions to the fatty myelin sheath that protects the nerve fibres in the brain. 

Aneurysms

A brain aneurysm is caused by a weakness in a blood vessel in the brain, causing the blood vessel to bulge and potentially rupture. 

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A TBI is a serious medical emergency caused by an accident or injury to the head. An emergency head and brain MRI scan will help doctors ascertain what damage has been caused to the brain, and where. 

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, is caused by excess fluid that puts pressure on the brain, potentially causing damage. It can be caused by injury to the brain or an infection. 

Infections

Encephalitis, meningitis and abscesses are all types of infection that cause inflammation and swelling in the brain. 

Brain Haemorrhage

A brain haemorrhage describes a bleed in the brain, either within the brain tissue or between the brain and the skull.

Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

An MRI scan is used along with other scans and tests to look for abnormalities in the brain that could be caused by epilepsy and other seizure disorders. 

Dementia

Various types of dementia cause changes to the brain tissue and blood vessels. An MRI scan is useful for differentiating between the different types and assessing how advanced the dementia may be. 

How a Brain and Head MRI Works

An MRI scanner uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to temporarily disrupt the hydrogen atoms in the body.

When these atoms are disrupted, they create energy, and different tissues create different types of energy. MRI computers then turn these energy differences into detailed images that radiologists can interpret to diagnose brain disorders and injured or diseased brain tissue.

Who Performs a Brain and Head MRI?

A brain and head MRI scan is performed by a radiologist and/or radiographer in the radiology department of your hospital or specialised clinic.

How is a Head MRI Performed?

A head MRI is performed by a large machine with a hollow tube in the centre. The machine uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce images of the brain and head. The procedure will take approximately 10–30 minutes to complete.

The following is a guide of what to expect during the procedure:

Remove Metal Objects and Change

You will be asked to remove any metal piercings or jewellery. Metal interacts with the MRI machine and will result in distorted images. Some clinics will allow you to wear your loose-fitting clothing. This is as long as the clothes provide access to the area being scanned and do not contain any metal fasteners. Some clinics will have you change into a hospital gown to ensure there is no clothing interference with the machine.

Brought into MRI Room and Positioned on the MRI Table

You will be brought to the MRI room and asked to lay down on the MRI table. The radiographer may use straps or fasteners to ensure your head is in the correct position to be scanned. Once you are secure, the technician will move to a separate room and this table will slide you into the machine to perform the scan of your head.

Get Contrast IV

Depending on what your doctor has ordered, you may need to have a contrast IV administered. This IV will be inserted into your hand or wrist and will inject you with contrast material, such as iodine, that will allow the radiologist to better see the structures within your head and brain. This is a safe procedure, and an allergic reaction occurring is rare. You will feel a warm sensation running through your body. This is a normal reaction and the sensation will slowly fade away.

Stay Still

It’s important to stay perfectly still. Any movement can cause the scan to produce blurred images and will need to be repeated. The machine will make loud banging noises, this is to be expected. Try to stay as still and relaxed as possible. The table may slide you in and out of the machine several times depending on the scan being done and how the quality of the images turn out.

The radiographer may ask you to hold your breath to ensure they can capture an accurate scan. The technician will be guiding you through the process, If you become uncomfortable at any point during the scan simply let them know.

It is common to wait a few minutes after the last scan, while the technician assesses how the images turned out.

Have Contrast IV removed

Once the scan is complete the contrast IV, if used, will be removed. There is nothing additional you need to do at this point. Take your time getting up as you may feel a little dizzy as you stand up. The technician will bring you back to a private room where you will be able to change. Once a radiologist has examined the scan, they will send the results to your doctor to discuss with you.

How to prepare for a Head MRI procedure?

The preparation for a head MRI procedure is simple. This is typically not an exam that requires you to fast beforehand unless instructed otherwise. When you arrive at the centre you will be asked about your medical history. It is important to inform the team if you have any of the following:

• Pacemaker or Defibrillator
• Cochlear implants–inner ear implants
• Allergies to Medication or Contrast Material
• Artificial Joints
• Pregnancy
• Claustrophobia
• Artificial Heart Valves

These can affect how the MRI procedure can safely be performed. Therefore it is important to disclose your medical history, even if you may not think it is relevant. The technician should know more information than less. There have been many strides in MRI technology, and those with these conditions can usually still have the procedure. However, they require additional precautions and potentially different techniques to perform the scan.

What is the recovery period after a Head MRI scan?

Since the MRI is a diagnostic scan, there is no downtime after the procedure is complete. If you have taken a sedative before the scan, it will take time to wear off. Therefore you cannot drive a vehicle for a few hours.

Most patients can change and go about their everyday activities. In the meantime, a radiologist will examine the images from your scan, send the report to your doctor, and your doctor will contact you to discuss the results.

Benefits

An MRI scan is a quick and painless routine magnetic imaging test that’s suitable for most people. MRI scans don’t use ionising radiation, and therefore don’t carry the small risks from radiation exposure that x-rays and CT scans do. 

Risks & Side Effects

MRI scans are unsuitable for people with certain implants, such as pacemakers, stents, valves and pumps, that contain magnetic metal. If you have any implants, let your medical team know, and they may recommend a different type of scan. All removable devices, such as hearing aids, must be removed, along with jewellery, watches and hair clips, before entering the MRI scanner room. 

Patients with claustrophobia or who struggle to keep still may find an MRI scan a difficult experience. Your medical team can supply you with a mild sedative to help calm your nerves. Newer MRI machines are known as open MRI scanners. An open MRI scanner has open sides, rather than being completely enclosed, and is often better tolerated by patients with claustrophobia. 

There’s a small risk that you may have an allergic reaction to the dye used during a contrast MRI. Symptoms of an allergy to a contrast injection include profuse sweating, breathlessness and muscle weakness. This can be more common in patients with kidney disease. If you begin to feel unwell, let your radiographer know immediately. 

Getting the Results

Once your radiologist and medical team have reviewed your results, they will arrange a time to discuss them, along with any treatment options, with you. 

Costs

In the UK, a private brain and head MRI starts at £250 and can go up to £1000, depending on your circumstances. 

Get a Brian and Head MRI Scan

It can be frightening to think of a problem inside your brain. For this reason, you might want to avoid a head and brain scan altogether. But having an MRI of your head is the first step in diagnosing a potentially life-threatening condition. An early diagnosis can help increase your chances of making a recovery.

If you need a head and brain MRI scan, skip the NHS wait times and book an appointment at one of our MRI centres. Or if you would like additional information about this diagnostic procedure, contact us, and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.

FAQs

How Long Does an MRI of the Brain Take?

A brain MRI takes around ten minutes, but your appointment will last around 30 minutes. If you have a contrast agent MRI, you’ll need to remain in the clinic for another half an hour to ensure you don’t develop an allergic reaction. 

Does Your Whole Body Go In for a Brain MRI?

It will depend on your clinic, but generally, only your head, neck and shoulders will enter the MRI scanner during a head and brain MRI scan. 

Which Is Better: MRI or CT Scan for the Brain?

MRI and CT scans work in different ways and have different uses. Your doctor will advise which one is best for you. 

Does a Brain MRI Include the Neck?

A head and brain MRI will focus primarily on the head area. If the purpose of your MRI is to discover the cause of neck pain, or your doctor thinks you may have a condition affecting the surrounding tissues, including those in the neck, they will also scan your neck. You can book this by adding Cervical Spine to your Head and Brain MRI order.

What Does It Mean if an MRI Shows Lesions on the Brain?

Lesions on the brain may be a sign of injury or disease. A head and brain MRI will help your doctor determine what’s causing these lesions. 

What Does a Brain MRI Show About Dementia?

An MRI may show lesions, blood vessel damage, changes to the white matter and atrophy (shrinkage) that can help to diagnose different forms of dementia.  

Is an MRI Bad for Your Brain?

There’s no evidence that the radio waves and magnetic fields used in an MRI cause damage to the brain tissue. 

What Should You Wear for a Brain MRI Scan?

You’ll likely be given a hospital gown to wear during your brain MRI exam, but it’s helpful to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that’s easy to remove for your appointment.

References

1. https://www.envrad.com/what-to-expect-mri-head-and-brain/
2. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/normal-brain-mri
3. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=headmr
4. https://4rai.com/blog/an-mri-can-detect-these-life-threatening-brain-conditions
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323303#procedure-and-what-to-expect
6. https://www.imaios.com/en/e-Anatomy/Head-and-Neck/Brain-MRI-in-axial-slices
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/head-mri#preparation
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539843/
9. https://headaches.org/2007/10/25/ct-scan-brain-scan/
10. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/guide-to-nhs-waiting-times-in-england/