Preparing for an MRI with contrast requires several steps to ensure the examination is safe and accurate:

Preparation for contrast examination

• Perform a blood creatinine test, no older than 7 days before the test.
• Fast for 5 hours before the test – you can drink still water.

Additional recommendations for abdominal, pelvic and prostate examinations:

• 15-30 minutes before the examination, take 1-2 No-spa tablets with still water.

Additional recommendations for prostate examination:

• Please bring your total PSA test result with you to the examination (valid for up to 3 months).

General tips:

• Bring previous test results (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI) regarding the organ being examined.
• Wear clothes without metal elements (e.g. no buttons, belt).
• Please report to the facility 30 minutes before your test with your ID.

Contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging are divided into absolute and relative :

Absolute contraindications to performing the test:

• weight over 226 kg,
• pacemaker/pacemaker,
• neurostimulators,
• pregnancy – the risks and possible diagnostic benefits should be considered (in the case of pregnancy, please inform the laboratory staff),
• surgical, aesthetic and invasive diagnostic procedures in the last 6 weeks,
• ocular prosthesis, metal foreign bodies in the eyeball (e.g. metal filings, if suspected, an image of the eye sockets should be taken),
• contraceptive coil – embolization coil (if made of ferromagnetic metals),
• insulin pump or other drug delivery device, neurostimulator or other biostimulants,
• hearing implant, internal hearing aid or ossicular plastic surgery cochlear implant (if it contains ferromagnetic metals).

Relative contraindications:

• claustrophobia (fear of small, tight spaces) – it may be necessary to take sedatives (the patient should consult the possibility of taking medications with their doctor or family doctor and take them before the examination),
• the presence of ferromagnetic metals in the body,
• Orthodontic appliances and other metallic foreign bodies in the body – the possibility of performing the examination should be discussed with the laboratory staff! In most cases, they are not a contraindication to the examination. Metallic foreign bodies may cause local artifacts, partially hindering the assessment of adjacent structures, or (rarely) cause heating of adjacent tissues – the examination may then be interrupted. In such cases, there is no threat to the patient's life or health.
• in the case of vascular clips, an MRI examination can be performed 6 weeks after clip implantation.
• In the case of a tattoo or permanent makeup, you should wait 6 weeks after it is done, unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise.