Preparing for your MRI defecating proctogram

Transcription

1 Preparing for your MRI defecating proctogram This leaflet contains information about how to prepare for your MRI scan and what to expect when you attend for your appointment. It is important that you read this leaflet carefully, even if you have had a scan before. If you are unable to attend your appointment, please telephone the department on What is an MRI defecating proctogram? MRI means Magnetic Resonance Imaging and this system uses a large magnet and a computer to produce pictures of your body. MRI defecating proctogram is a procedure used to assess structure (anatomy) and function of the pelvic organs particularly the rectum and bowel. The results of the scan will help your doctor to diagnose your condition/decide on any necessary treatment. How long will it take? You may be in the department for 1 hour. Please note, we endeavour to keep to appointment times, however you may be delayed if an emergency arises. If so, we will keep you informed of the estimated delay time. Before you come to the department Is there any special preparation? Two hours before your scan, try to empty your bowels and bladder. Ladies: the scan can be performed when you are having a period. It is important that you do not enter the scan room with anything metallic. Eye make-up may need to be removed as some types can interfere with the scan. You will need to remove any jewellery, piercings or other metal items. Please do this before attending for your scan if possible. We may not be able to perform your scan if you cannot remove these items. Do not take credit cards, mobile phones or hearing aids into the scan room as the magnetic field can damage them and stop them working.

2 WARNING Please note there can be a risk in entering a strong magnetic field. You MUST contact the department on if any of the following apply: You have EVER had metal in your eyes You have a pacemaker, an artificial heart valve or aneurysm clips You have joint replacements or metal implants (including cochlea implants) You are pregnant You are over 18 stones in weight You require an interpreter (the use of family member or friend is not appropriate) Failure to contact the department about any of the above can result in substantial delay and/or a wasted journey. Do I need to bring anything with me? You should avoid bringing valuables with you to the department. Drug patches will need to be removed. Please bring a new one with you. Can I bring a relative or friend with me? Yes, but we do not routinely allow friends or relatives into the scan room during the MRI examination. You will remain responsible for any dependants (such as young children) accompanying you to your appointment. The staff will not be able to look after them while you are having your scan. Additional needs If you have any additional needs (e.g. need a hoist) which are likely to affect your examination, please contact the MRI Scan Department on When you arrive in the department Please go to the reception desk where your details will be checked and you will be asked to take a seat in the waiting area. You will be asked to remove your clothing and put on hospital clothing. You will be given a property bag for your clothing and personal items. Keep this with you at all times. During your scan, your belongings will be placed in a locker. We may ask you to go to the toilet and empty your bladder and/or bowel - this is important because a full bladder or bowel can obscure important pelvic floor problems. 2

3 What happens during a defecating proctogram? The scan is undertaken by a radiographer. If you have any questions about the examination please do not hesitate to ask one of the staff. You will be asked to lie on the scan table head-first. Part of the scan focuses on bowel function. Before you are moved into the scanner, to improve visibility of the bowel wall, we introduce approximately 160mls of blue ultrasound gel through a small tube into your back passage. This may feel slightly uncomfortable, but should not hurt. The gel is water-soluble and is quite safe. We realise this is a potentially embarrassing situation for you, and aim to maintain your privacy at all times. Please tell us if there is anything we can do to make this examination more comfortable for you. The table will then move into the scanner. It is important to lie still during the examination so that the images are not blurred Several scans are performed to provide an overview of the pelvis and to look at the small muscles around the lower bowel that maintain continence (the bowel sphincters). We will then ask you to perform a variety of pelvic floor movements as we look at the way the organs function. These will include: Clenching - This means squeezing the pelvic floor muscles tightly, as if you were trying to stop any leakage. Straining - This means bearing down as if you were going to empty your bladder or bowel You will then be asked to empty the gel from your bowel into a plastic sheet while you are lying in the scanner. The scanner makes a loud knocking noise. Earplugs or headphones will be provided. The computer, which operates the MRI scanner, is in a separate room to keep it away from the magnetic field. This means that during a scan the radiographer will also be in this separate room. He or she will be able to see, hear and speak to you at all times during the procedure. There is a 2-way microphone within the scanner so that you will be able to talk to the radiographer. The radiographer will also be able to see you on a monitor and provide you with an emergency buzzer. Who will be present during the scan? The radiographers will carry out your scan and may be assisted by radiographic assistants. Student radiographers and other clinical staff undergoing training may also be present in the room. If you would prefer them not to attend, please let the radiographer know. 3

4 What happens after the scan? You will usually be able to leave the department after the scan. You may return to your normal activities and eat and drink as normal. When will I get the results? The radiographer performing your scan will not be able to tell you the results. The results will be sent to the doctor or healthcare professional who referred you. You will be given advice on how to make a further appointment for the results Are there any risks or side-effects? MRI is a very safe procedure. There are no known side-effects associated with being exposed to the magnetic field and radio waves of an MRI scan. There are no risks from the magnetic field itself, but there are risks in taking metallic objects into the field. All patients are asked a series of questions before their scan to eliminate these risks. See Warning box for details. There is a tiny risk of making a small hole in the bowel, a perforation. This may require treatment with antibiotics, or occasionally surgery and whilst rare can be life threatening. Is there an alternative to a defecating proctogram? Your consultant has recommended this procedure as being the best option. The examination will help your doctor to assess you more fully and plan any further treatment that might be necessary. If you would like more information about alternatives including not having the test, please speak to your doctor or the healthcare professional managing your care. Do you need this information in another language? If you need this information in another language, dhft.imagingqualityteam@nhs.net Gdyby chcieli Państwo otrzymać niniejszy dokument w innej wersji językowej, prosimy skontaktować się z nami, korzystając z adresu poczty elektronicznej: dhft.imagingqualityteam@nhs.net ਜ ਤ ਸ ਇਸ ਜ ਣਕ ਰ ਨ ਕਕਸ ਹ ਰ ਭ ਸ਼ ਕ ਚ ਚ ਹ ਦ ਹ, ਤ ਕਕਰਪ ਕਰਕ dhft.imagingqualityteam@nhs.net ਤ ਈ-ਮ ਲ ਕਰ اگر آپکو یہ معلومات کسی اور زبان میں درکار ہوں تو برائے مہربانی ای میل کریں dhft.imagingqualityteam@nhs.net.dhft.imagingqualityteam@nhs.net ئەم گەر بۆ بکە ئیمەیڵ تکایە دەوێ تر زمانێکی بە زانیارییانەت 4

5 Your feedback We hope you found the information in this leaflet helpful, but if it did not tell you what you needed to know we would like to hear about it. You can tell us what you think of this leaflet by completing a short survey at: P2108/1415/ /VERSION3 (MRI defecating proctogram) Copyright. Any external organisations and websites included here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Trust, nor does their inclusion constitute a recommendation 5