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.
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When you arrive for your prostate MRI, our team 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.
Before the scan, you will be asked to change into a gown, and you’ll need to remove any jewellery, hearing aids, dentures, or other loose items, as the MRI machine uses a strong magnet. Your belongings will be safely stored during the procedure.
In most cases, we will insert an intravenous (IV) line into your arm. We will use this to administer contrast, which will enhance the images we take. This is safe, though you might feel a brief sensation of warmth or a metallic taste in your mouth. Allergic reactions to the MRI contrast are rare, but our staff are trained to manage them if they occur. It is important to tell the staff if you have had any form of reaction to MRI contrast before or anaphylaxis for any other reason.
The MRI technologist will help position you on the scanner table. You will be asked to lie down on your back on the MRI bed. A hard-formed piece of plastic known as a coil will be placed over your pelvis.
You’ll need to lie as still as possible to ensure clear images are captured.
Once ready, the MRI technologist will leave the room, and the bed will move slowly into the scanner so you are positioned in the centre of the machine. The MRI machine makes loud knocking and humming sounds while scanning, but you can wear headphones and listen to music to make this more comfortable. When the knocking stops, the computer processes the images for a few seconds before the next scan. It is important not to move or change position.
Throughout the procedure, you will be able to hear and talk to the technologist who will be monitoring the examination from an adjacent room.
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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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The scan will last approximately 30 minutes, and you will be required to lie still during this time because any movement can blur the images.
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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.
If you have any concerns regarding your MRI, please speak to one of our staff.
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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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The cost of a prostate MRI can vary depending on several factors. We will provide you with the specific price for your MRI scan when you make your booking. If you have any queries about the costs or your eligibility for Medicare, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. A member of our team will be more than willing to help you with your questions.
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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.