MRI Scan Prostate FAQs
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Prostate MRI has been widely accepted as an integral part of any screening program for men at risk for prostate cancer. Your referring doctor can discuss the importance of the test further with you.
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There is some preparation required for this scan in regards to fasting requirements. Our staff will provide you with detailed instructions at the time of booking.
You will be asked to change into a gown during the procedure, so we recommend wearing clothes that are easy to remove.
Please bring any previous scans or x-rays related to your prostate MRI scan with you to your appointment. If you had these scans with us, we will already have your images stored.
If you feel anxious in small spaces, please mention this at the time of booking. If you suffer from claustrophobia, you may require sedation to make you more comfortable during the scan.
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- When you arrive at one of Queensland X-Ray’s MRI clinics, our reception staff will go through some questions with you to reconfirm your booking details.
- You will be provided with Microlax Enema, which is a gel to assist in the elimination of faeces and gas from the rectum. This allows clearer pictures of your prostate with an MRI. The technical staff will instruct you on how to use this, and it is relatively quick and simple.
- So our team can perform your scan safely and effectively, you are required to complete a patient safety questionnaire and change into a gown which we will provide. You will be asked to remove any jewellery, hearing aids, dentures and any other loose items. Your belongings will be safely stored for you during your examination.
- In order to perform your scan, you will lie down on the MRI bed, which will then be moved so that your prostate is in the middle of the scanner.
Throughout the procedure, you will be required to keep still. - In most cases, we will insert an intravenous (IV) line into your arm. We use this to administer contrast dye that can help to enhance the images we take. When the contrast is injected, you may get a metallic taste in your mouth and this is completely normal. It is important to tell the staff if you have had any form of reaction to MRI contrast before. Rarely, as with all intravenous injections, there is a small chance of an allergic reaction. Most reactions are mild and result in hives or itching. If any sort of reaction does occur, our staff are trained and on hand to manage this reaction
- The MRI machine makes a very loud knocking and humming sound when the images are being taken. Both hearing protection and an emergency buzzer are provided for the duration of the scan. You will be offered headphones through which the MRI radiographer can talk to you and play a selection of music to help reduce the noise and pass the time more quickly. The knocking will intermittently stop while the computer processes the images for a few seconds at a time before starting again. No-one else will be in the room during your scan, but you can press the buzzer should you need to communicate with the MRI radiographer or stop the exam at any time.
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If you require an MRI scan and suffer from claustrophobia, or are uncomfortable with the restrictive space, you can have your doctor prescribe some sedation for you to complete the scan. In more extreme cases of claustrophobia, we can provide twilight sedation at one of our hospital practices. Just mention this at the time of booking.
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Safety is paramount with MRI scanning, so at the time of booking your MRI and also when you arrive at the MRI clinic for your appointment, you will be asked safety questions.
An MRI scanner is essentially a large magnet and certain metal objects like implants are not MRI safe or only safe on certain machines. Please let our booking staff and the MRI staff know if you have any of the following:
- Cardiac pacemaker
- Defibrillator
- Cochlear implants
- Neurostimulator
- Aneurysm clips
- Active implanted biomedical devices
- Infusion pump
- Continuous Glucose Monitors
- Any implants or devices in your head or body
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Prostate MRI scans will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
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MRI scanners are preferred for prostate imaging due to their high accuracy, exceptional soft tissue resolution and non-invasive nature compared to Ultrasound, CT or PET imaging. They use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed MRI images of the prostate gland and surrounding areas. This level of detail can help detect prostate cancer and differentiate it from other tumours, growths, or related conditions that may be affecting areas around the prostate, such as the bladder or the urethra.
MRI scans can reveal tiny changes in the prostate that may suggest cancer, playing a pivotal role in early detection. Your referring specialist will use this information in deciding to proceed with a biopsy or further surveillance. The MRI results will also help guide the biopsy plan.
They can also assess whether cancer has extended beyond the prostate, which is crucial for determining the most effective treatment strategy.
There may be a role for PET imaging in certain cases where a patient cannot have or tolerate an MRI. Our radiologists can discuss this further with you or your treating specialist.
MRI scans can detect other conditions that may be affecting the prostate, such as infections or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which can help in getting treatment for these conditions without undergoing a possibly unnecessary prostate biopsy.
How much will it cost?
Fees for radiology procedures will vary depending on a variety of factors. We will advise you about the cost of your service at the time of booking but if you do have any questions, contact us and one of our team will be happy to help with your query. You can read more about our billing information here.
How do I access my images?
At Queensland X-Ray, we provide our patients with their images and results online. To access your images and results, you’ll need to register for an account when you visit one of our practices. If you’ve already registered, you can access the Patient Portal here.