About the Scan – Abdomen MR Angiography

MR angiography is a special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used by SMIL radiologists to examine blood vessels in key areas of the body, including the abdomen.

During the scan, you will be positioned on the moveable examination table. Devices that contain coils capable of sending and receiving radio waves may be placed around or adjacent to the area of the body being studied.

If a contrast material will be used in the MR exam, a nurse or technologist will insert an intravenous (IV) catheter, also known as an IV line, into a vein in your hand or arm. A saline solution may be used. The solution will drip through the IV to prevent blockage of the IV catheter until the contrast material is injected.

You will be moved into the magnet of the MR unit and the SMIL radiologist and technologist will leave the room while the MRI examination is performed.

If a contrast material is used during the examination, it will be injected into the intravenous line (IV) after an initial series of scans. Additional series of images will be taken during or following the injection.

When the examination is completed, you may be asked to wait until the SMIL technologist or radiologist checks the images in case additional images are needed. Your intravenous line will be removed.

MR exams generally include multiple runs, some of which may last several minutes. The entire examination is usually completed in less than 60 minutes once imaging has started.

Learn how to prepare for the scan in the abdomen MR angiography preparations section.

Find out if this procedure is right for you in the benefits and risks of abdomen MR angiography section.

For a downloadable/printable PDF about this exam with preparation instructions click here.