Benefits and Risks – Chest MR Scan

Benefits

• MRI is a noninvasive imaging technique that does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation.
• MRI can help physicians evaluate both the structure of an organ and how it is working.
• MRI enables the discovery of abnormalities that might be obscured by bone with other imaging methods.

Risks

• The MRI examination poses almost no risk to the average patient when appropriate safety guidelines are followed.
• If sedation is used, there are risks of excessive sedation. The technologist or nurse monitors your vital signs to minimize this risk.
• Patients with pacemakers cannot be scanned.
• Certain types of surgical implants and permanent wires may prevent a patient from having an MRI.