This information will help you get ready for your Brainlab MRI scan at MSK. In this resource, the words “you” and “your” refer to you or your child.
About your Brainlab MRI
MRI is an imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields to make pictures of the inside of your body. MRI can be used to see the type, size, and location of tumors. This helps your healthcare provider plan your care and see how your treatment is working.
If you have a brain tumor, a Brainlab MRI is used to look at your brain. Your surgeon will use the detailed pictures from your Brainlab MRI to plan your surgery.
The MRI table is on a track that slides into the machine. The MRI machine is a long, donut-shaped magnet that is open at both ends.
The Brainlab MRI scan will take about 1 hour.
You’ll need to lay still inside the MRI machine during your scan. The machine will make loud noises during your scan. Talk with your healthcare provider if this may make you uncomfortable, anxious, cause pain, or if you have claustrophobia. They can help plan ways to help you feel more comfortable during your MRI.
You can use special headphones and goggles called Cinemavision during your Brainlab MRI. You can use this to watch a movie or listen to music. If you want to do this, tell your nurse so they can arrange it.
You can also use breathing exercises before or during your scan to help you feel more comfortable. Read the “Exercises to Help You Relax for Your MRI” section of this resource for more information.
What to do before your Brainlab MRI
If you have a vagal nerve stimulator, tell your healthcare provider a week before your MRI. We’ll need time to arrange to have the device turned off before the MRI and back on after the MRI.
A week before your MRI, tell your healthcare provider if you have metal or electronic devices in your body. These include:
- Pacemaker
- Automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD)
- Breast tissue expander
- Aneurysm clip
These devices can interfere with the MRI scanners magnetic field. This can make it unsafe for you to have an MRI scan.
If you’re a female between the ages of 11 and 55, your healthcare provider will ask you if you’re pregnant. You may have to take a pregnancy test.
Take devices off your skin
You may wear certain devices on your skin. Before your scan or procedure, device makers recommend you take off your:
- Continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
- Insulin pump
Talk with your healthcare provider about scheduling your appointment closer to the date you need to change your device. Make sure you have an extra device with you to put on after your scan or procedure.
You may not be sure how to manage your glucose while your device is off. If so, before your appointment, talk with the healthcare provider who manages your diabetes care.
About contrast dye
You may need to have contrast dye (also called contrast) during your MRI. Contrast is a special dye that makes it easier for your doctor to see differences in tumors. This will help us to get a clearer picture.
Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you’re going to have an MRI with contrast. If you are, you’ll get the contrast through an intravenous (IV) line in your hand or arm or a needle in your central line or implanted port (Mediport®).
Reactions to the contrast dye are rare. However, if you’ve had a reaction to contrast in the past, tell your doctor or nurse.
Note the time of your Brainlab MRI
A staff member will call you 1 day before your MRI. If you’re having your Brainlab MRI on a Monday, they will call you on the Friday before. If you don’t get a call by , please call 212-639-5948.
The staff member will tell you what time to arrive for your MRI. They will also remind you where to go. This will be one of the following locations at Memorial Hospital (MSK’s main hospital):
-
Center for Image-Guided Intervention (CIGI)
1275 York Avenue (between East 67th and East 68th Streets)
C elevator to the 2nd floor. -
11th floor MRI Suite
1275 York Avenue (between East 67th and East 68th Streets)
B or C elevator to the 11th floor.
For people getting anesthesia | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
If your doctor told you that you would get anesthesia, follow the additional instructions below. Anesthesia is medication to make you sleepy during your MRI. Arrange for someone to take you homeYou must have a responsible care partner take you home after your procedure. A responsible care partner is someone who can help you get home safely. They should be able to contact your care team if they have any concerns. Make sure to plan this before the day of your procedure. If you don’t have a responsible care partner to take you home, call one of the agencies below. They’ll send someone to go home with you. There’s a charge for this service, and you’ll need to provide transportation. It’s OK to use a taxi or car service, but you still need a responsible care partner with you.
Instructions for eating and drinking before your procedureDo not eat or drink anything after a certain time on the night before your Brainlab MRI. Your nurse practitioner will tell you when this is. The exact time is based on your age and any other medical problems that you may have. Your nurse practitioner will talk with you about what you can and cannot eat before your Brainlab MRI. If you don’t follow the instructions you are given, your Brainlab MRI may be cancelled. |
What to do the day of your Brainlab MRI
Things to remember
- Unless you’re told otherwise, you can shower and wash your hair the morning of your MRI. Don’t use any hair products (such as hair spray or hair gel).
- Don’t wear any metal objects. Take off all jewelry, including body piercings.
- Leave valuables, such as credit cards, jewelry, or your checkbook, at home.
What to bring
- An extra medication patch, if you wear one.
- A case for your glasses, if you wear them.
- Your VP shunt information, including shunt type and setting, if you have one.
What to expect when you arrive
Many staff members will ask you to say and spell your name and birth date. This is for your safety. People with the same or similar names may be having a procedure on the same day.
A staff member will bring you to the exam room. You may need to remove your clothes and change into a hospital gown before going into the scanning area. You can wear your underwear, as long as it does not have metal in it. You will need to remove your bra if you are wearing one.
| For parents and guardians: If wearing a hospital gown raises your child’s anxiety, call 212-639-8200 before your appointment to talk about other options. |
You’ll place your clothing and all of your items (phone, jewelry, coins, glasses, bags) into a secure locker. Even a small amount of metal can fly into the magnet. Leave any valuables at home if they are not needed.
If you’re getting contrast, a nurse will inject the contrast into your vein through a catheter.
Going into the MRI scan room
When it’s time for your procedure, the MRI technologist will bring you to the scanning room. You’ll either walk into the procedure room or a staff member will bring you there on a stretcher.
Inside the MRI scan room
A member of your care team will help you onto the MRI table. The machine makes a loud tapping noise during the scan. The technologist will offer you earplugs or earphones to listen to music. If you plan to use Cinemavision, they will give you the headphones and goggles.
Once you’re comfortable on the MRI table, the technologist will slide it into the magnetic part of the machine. They will begin the scan. You will be able to speak with the technologist during the whole scan.
It’s important that you lay still and breathe normally during your scan. The scan doesn’t hurt, but some people have a hard time lying still on the MRI table. If you’re having trouble lying still, tell the MRI technologist. You can use the conscious breathing exercises to help you relax. Remember, do not use deep breathing during the scan. It can cause your body to move too much.
The scan will take about 1 hour.
What to do after your Brainlab MRI
When your Brainlab MRI is finished, the MRI technologist will move the scanning table out of the machine. They will help you off the table. You can leave the MRI area after you get your belongings.
If you got anesthesia, a staff member will take you to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) or Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center (PACC). You will stay there until you’re fully awake.
You can do all your normal activities after your Brainlab MRI. You do not need to take any special care.
If you had contrast, it will leave your body through your urine within 24 hours.
Getting your results
Your doctor will get a report with the results of your MRI. They will go over the results of your MRI with you. You can also find your results in the patient portal.
Contact information
If you have any questions or concerns about your MRI, call the site where your scan is scheduled. You can reach a staff member Monday through Friday from to at the following locations:
MSK Manhattan sites
| Main Campus (1275 York Avenue) 212-639-8200 | Breast & Imaging Center (66th Street) 646-888-5314 |
MSK regional sites
| Basking Ridge 908-542-3200 | Bergen 201-775-7133 |
| Commack 631-623-4066 631-212-6173 | Monmouth 848-225-6453 |
| Nassau 516-559-1004 | Westchester 914-367-7307 914-367-7036 |
After on weekdays, during the weekend, or on a holiday, call 212-639-2000 for help.
Exercises to help you relax for your MRI
You can use breathing exercises before or during your scan to help you feel more comfortable. Exercises that use little to no movement, such as conscious breathing, are safe to use during your scan. Other exercises, such as deep breathing, cause more movement and should not be done during your scan.
Deep breathing exercises to use before your MRI only
Do not use deep breathing during your MRI. It can cause your body to move too much while you’re in the MRI machine.
You can practice deep breathing by following these steps:
- Place 1 hand on your stomach, just above your belly button. If you’re right-handed, use your right hand. If you’re left-handed, use your left hand.
- Breathe out completely through your mouth.
- If you can, close your eyes and breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose. Feel your stomach push up on your hand. Imagine that air is filling your whole body from the bottom up.
- Pause for a couple of seconds. Then, breathe out slowly through your mouth or nose. Try to breathe out completely and imagine the air leaving your lungs, mouth, or nose.
- As you breathe out, allow your body to relax and go limp—like a rag doll.
Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times.
Relaxation exercises to use before or during your MRI
Here are some things you can do before your MRI to help with claustrophobia, anxiety, or both.
Acupressure for Stress and Anxiety
Body Scan Meditation
(www.msk.org/body-scan)
Breathing Exercises to Prepare for Procedures
(www.msk.org/breathing-for-procedures)
Managing Anxiety about Medical Scans and Procedures
(www.msk.org/managing-anxiety-procedures)
Guided Imagery Meadow Meditation
(www.msk.org/guided-imagery-meadow)
Guided Imagery Meditation to Promote Comfort and Wellness
(www.msk.org/guided-imagery-comfort)
Managing Anxiety
Managing Scanxiety During Your Cancer Treatment
Mindful Breathing Meditation
(www.msk.org/mindful-breathing)
Mindful Movement Meditation
(www.msk.org/mindful-movement)
Relaxation Exercises to Practice Before and During Your MRI