MRI Scan of the Small Bowel (MRI Enterogram)

Transcription

1 MRI Scan of the Small Bowel (MRI Enterogram) Department of Radiology Information for Patients i Radiology Leaflet No. 73 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

2 Introduction If you are an outpatient please read your appointment letter carefully to check which hospital you must attend for your appointment. Your doctor has requested that you have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan. What is an MRI scan? MRI is a test which uses a powerful magnet and a computer to produce detailed images of any part of the body. The MRI scanner does not use x-rays. Important safety information Before you have an MRI scan it is essential that we are 100% certain that you do not have a pacemaker. You must tell us, by phoning the number on your appointment letter, if you have any of the following: If you have a pacemaker, or have ever had any heart surgery If you have ever had any metal fragments in your eyes If you have any implants or surgical clips in your body or head If you have ever had an operation on your head, eyes, ears, heart or chest. If you are diabetic If there is any chance you could be pregnant If you are breast feeding 2

3 Important safety information (continued) If you have had an operation in the last six weeks If you have an allergy to sugar or carob bean gum If you have an endoscopy appointment within the next 24 to 48 hours. If you have been sent a safety questionnaire with your appointment letter please fill it in and follow the instructions in the appointment letter and questionnaire. Before the scan you will need to remove all loose metal objects, including your watch, money, credit cards, keys, all jewellery, hair clips, wigs or hair pieces and any eye makeup. Information for diabetic patients You may contact your diabetic specialist nurse directly to discuss the preparation instructions in this leaflet. The diabetic helpline number is and is open Monday to Friday from 9am pm. You should have received a morning appointment. If you have not, please contact the Radiology Department. It may be that we are not aware that you are diabetic. How to prepare for the MRI Scan On the day of your examination Do not eat anything for 4 hours before your examination; however you may continue to drink clear fluids. 3

4 What happens during the MRI Scan? On arrival at the Radiology Department you will be directed to the MRI scanner where the radiographer or assistant practitioner will go through the questionnaire with you. The examination will be explained and you may ask any questions that you have. Your doctor has requested a detailed scan of your intestines (bowel). For the scan to work, your intestines need to be full of fluid. You will be given about 1 Litre of a sweet syrupy liquid to drink at a regular slow speed over 45 to 60 minutes before the scan. If the bowel is not full, you may need to come off the scanner to drink more to make sure you have the best possible scan. Drinking all the drink is important to make sure that we get good images of your intestines. If you are wearing clothes with metal clips or zips you will then be asked to change into a gown. You will then be taken into the scan room and asked to lie down on the scanner table which is moved into the magnet. During the scanning you will hear a rhythmic tapping sound which may become quite loud. This is normal. You will be given headphones or earplugs to protect your ears from the noise. The radiographer operating the scanner can see you throughout the scan. You will be given a call button to alert the staff if you need to speak to them during the scan. For some scans it will be necessary for you to hold your breath several times during the examination. The radiographer will tell you when to do this. If you have any difficulties holding your breath for short periods (about 20 seconds) please tell the staff on arrival. 4

5 What happens during the MRI Scan? (continued) An injection of a contrast agent (a colourless liquid that shows up on the scan) into a vein in your arm is often necessary to show more information on the scan. The supervising radiologist (specialist x-ray doctor) will decide if this is necessary on the day and will keep you fully informed. You may also be given an injection to relax the muscles of the bowel for a short time (buscopan). This is so that the bowel stays still during the scan to give sharper pictures. This injection may make your eyesight blurred. This should pass after about 30 minutes. How long will the scan take? An MRI scan usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes. The time will vary for each patient. What happens after the examination? You should have no after effects from this examination. You may eat and drink normally after the examination and you should then be free to return to work / normal daily life. You may have some diarrhoea as a result of the sweet drink you had. Do not drive if your eyesight has become blurred. Eye symptoms: if you experience any pain in your eyes in the next 24 hours (this is very rare), please contact your GP immediately and show them this leaflet or the aftercare sheet you may be given after the scan has taken place. 5

6 How do I get the results? The results will not be given to you immediately. Your MRI scan pictures will be studied by a radiologist and the results will be sent to the consultant or GP who referred you for this examination. If you are an inpatient when you come for the scan the results will be given to the doctors looking after you on the ward. An explanation of how to get your results will be given to you after your examination. Risks and benefits If you were given an injection of buscopan to relax the bowel muscles, the muscles of your eyes may have relaxed as well as the muscles of your bowel. This may cause a blurring of vision in some patients. If you are affected, we advise you do not drive until it has returned to normal (about half an hour). No short term harmful effects have been found from MRI scans. The use of magnetic fields is not thought to be harmful; however long term side effects are unknown. There is a very small risk of side effects from the injection of contrast agent but this is extremely rare. These are usually mild and may include a metallic taste in the mouth, itchy skin, pain at the injection site and feeling light headed. Headache and chest pain are rare. If you do experience any side effects please tell the MRI staff immediately. 6

7 Other sources of information Websites For general information about radiology departments visit the Royal College of Radiologists website: Please note that the views expressed in these websites, do not necessarily reflect the views of UHL or the NHS. University Hospitals of Leicester website: NHS Direct: For health advice or information you can call NHS Direct on or visit the web site: Additional information How was it for you? If you wish to make any comments or suggestions regarding your visit to the Radiology Department please fill in a suggestion form or speak to a member of staff. Suggestion forms are located in all waiting areas within the department. University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust also has a Patient Information and Liaison Service (PILS), and you are welcome to contact them on: Freephone: pils.complaints.compliments@uhl-tr.nhs.uk We review our information leaflets on a regular basis. If you have any comments about how we can improve these leaflets please speak to a member of staff. 7

8 Additional information (continued) Directions and car parking Hospital car parking is available to all hospital patients and visitors. Spaces are limited so please allow plenty of time to find a car parking space. A charge is payable. Bus services to the hospital There is a regular bus service from the city centre. Phone Traveline on for times and routes. A Hospital Hopper bus links the three hospitals, Beaumont Leys Centre, Hamilton Centre and the railway station. Buses run every 30 minutes between 6.30 am and about 7 pm Monday to Friday. A charge is payable for this service. Relatives and escorts You may wish to bring a friend or relative to accompany you to and from the Radiology Department when you have your examination although they may not always be allowed into the examination room. This may be useful if you do not understand English very well or if you have any special needs. Children Baby changing facilities are available. Please ask to be shown to them if you wish to use them. We are unable to offer childcare facilities. If you need to bring your children with you, please bring along somebody who can supervise them whilst your examination is being carried out. 8

9 Additional information (continued) Facilities available Refreshments: refreshments including hot and cold drinks are available in the hospital. Please ask a member of staff for directions. Shops: each hospital contains a shop selling magazines, newspapers, sweets and drinks. Please ask a member of staff for directions. 9

10 Any questions? Write them here to remind you what to ask when you come for your examination. 10

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12 If you would like this information in another language or format, please contact the Service Equality Manager on Haddaad rabto warqadan oo turjuman oo ku duuban cajalad ama qoraal ah fadlan la xiriir, Maamulaha Adeegga Sinaanta Eĝer bu broşürün (kitapçıĝın) yazılı veya kasetli açıklamasını isterseniz lütfen servis müdürüne telefonundan ulaşabilirsiniz. Produced by: Imaging Patient Information Group Date implemented: February 2010 Reviewed: March 2012 Review: March 2014 Edition 5 (Mear) KR IMA