MRI Scan in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is an MRI scan?
An MRI scan, short for magnetic resonance imaging, is a way of producing detailed pictures of the inside of the body using a strong magnet and pulses of radio waves. The magnet briefly aligns the water molecules in your tissues, the radio waves nudge them, and the signals they give off as they settle are turned into images by a computer. MRI uses no X-rays and no ionising radiation.
Because different tissues hold water in different ways, MRI shows soft tissues in fine detail: the brain and spinal cord, discs and nerves in the spine, ligaments, tendons and cartilage in joints, muscles, and many abdominal and pelvic organs. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, each MRI scan is reviewed and reported by a radiologist, a doctor who specialises in interpreting medical images.
Who needs it
An MRI scan is arranged by your treating doctor when the question needs soft tissue detail that an X-ray or ultrasound gives less clearly. Common reasons include:
- Back or neck pain with leg or arm symptoms, such as sciatica or numbness
- Knee, shoulder or ankle injuries where a ligament, tendon or cartilage tear is suspected
- Headaches with worrying features, seizures, or symptoms affecting speech, vision or balance
- Assessment of a lump or swelling in soft tissue
- Further assessment of a finding seen on an ultrasound or CT scan
- Planning before some operations
MRI scans are most often requested by the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Neurosurgery and Neuroscience teams. The choice between MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray depends on the question being asked, and the Radiology page explains how the different examinations compare.
What happens
Before the scan, a member of the radiology team goes through a safety questionnaire with you. It asks about anything metal or electronic in or on your body, because the magnet is always switched on and pulls on some metals strongly. You change into a hospital gown and leave behind jewellery, watches, hairpins, keys, phones and bank cards, since the magnet can erase a card's magnetic strip.
You lie on a padded table that slides into the scanner, a tunnel open at both ends. A frame called a coil may be placed around the part of the body being scanned, such as the knee or head, to pick up clearer signals. You are given earplugs or headphones, because the scanner makes loud knocking and buzzing sounds while the images are taken. You hold a call button throughout and can speak to the radiographer over an intercom.
The scan is made up of several sequences, each lasting a few minutes. The whole examination usually takes between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on the area and the question. Staying completely still during each sequence gives sharp pictures, much like holding still for a photograph with a long exposure.
For some scans, a contrast agent is injected into a vein in your arm partway through, to make blood vessels, inflammation or certain lumps show more clearly. The radiographer tells you before this happens.
Preparing for it
Tell the team when the scan is being arranged if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, a cochlear implant, a nerve stimulator, a medicine pump, surgical clips, a metal heart valve, or joint replacements. Tell them too if you have ever had metal fragments in your eyes, for example from welding or grinding work, because a tiny fragment can move in the magnetic field; an X-ray of the eyes may be arranged first to check. Bring any implant card you were given.
Let the team know if you are pregnant or might be, and if you feel anxious in enclosed spaces. Raising claustrophobia when the scan is arranged, rather than on the day, gives time to plan. Some people find it helps to go feet first, to keep their eyes closed or to bring a family member who can stay nearby after the safety check.
Most MRI scans need no fasting. Some abdominal and pelvic scans need a few hours without food, and you will be told if this applies. If a contrast injection is likely and you have kidney disease or diabetes, a recent kidney function blood test may be requested. Wear comfortable clothing without metal zips or fasteners, and remove eye makeup, which can contain metallic particles. During Ramadan, ask about scan timing if fasting instructions apply to your examination.
Bring your referral, your Emirates ID and insurance card, and any previous scans of the same area, since comparison helps the radiologist.
Afterwards
Most people go straight back to normal activities, including driving, after an MRI scan. If you had contrast, drink water as usual through the day. If you were given a sedative to help you relax, arrange for someone to take you home.
The radiologist reviews the images and sends a report to the doctor who requested the scan, who discusses the result with you in the context of your symptoms. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can also provide the images on request for your records.
Contact the hospital if the injection site becomes red, swollen or painful, or if you develop an itchy rash after a contrast injection. Seek urgent medical help if you have difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or feel faint after the scan.
Cost and insurance
MRI scans almost always need pre-approval from UAE insurers, so the request should be submitted as soon as your doctor arranges the scan to avoid delay. Scans with contrast may need a separate approval, and screening scans without symptoms are sometimes excluded. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
Does an MRI scan use radiation?
An MRI scan uses no ionising radiation, because it creates images with a strong magnetic field and radio waves rather than X-rays. This is one reason MRI is often chosen for children and for repeat scans. Ultrasound also uses no ionising radiation, while X-ray and CT scans do.
What are the risks of an MRI scan?
The main risks of an MRI scan come from the magnet, which can affect some pacemakers, implants and metal fragments, so every patient is screened before entering the scanner room. Contrast injections occasionally cause mild reactions, rarely serious allergic ones, and are used with care in people with poor kidney function. Some people find the noise and the enclosed space uncomfortable.
Can I have an MRI scan with a pacemaker or metal implant?
Many people with metal implants, such as joint replacements, can have an MRI scan safely, and some pacemakers are designed to be MRI-conditional. Other devices and older implants make MRI unsafe. Tell your doctor and the radiology team about any implant when the scan is arranged, and bring the implant card, so safety can be checked in advance.
What if I am claustrophobic?
People who feel anxious in enclosed spaces can often complete an MRI scan with preparation, such as going in feet first for some scans, closing their eyes, and talking to the radiographer through the intercom. Tell the team when the scan is being arranged, because in some cases your doctor may prescribe a mild sedative or suggest an alternative test.
Why is an MRI scan so noisy?
An MRI scanner is loud because electrical currents switching rapidly in its coils make them vibrate, producing knocking and buzzing sounds. The noise is normal and harmless when you wear the earplugs or headphones provided.
Is MRI safe in pregnancy?
MRI without contrast is generally considered safe in pregnancy when the information is needed, and it is sometimes used instead of CT to avoid radiation. Contrast is usually avoided in pregnancy. Always tell the radiology team if you are pregnant or might be before any scan.
Do I need insurance approval for an MRI scan?
Most UAE insurers require pre-approval for an MRI scan, and contrast studies may need separate approval. Starting the approval as soon as the scan is requested helps avoid delay. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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