No! Unlike X-ray, CT, and PET scans, MRIs do not use ionizing radiation and is considered a non-invasive procedure. Instead, MRIs use a strong magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures of your brain. The MRI scanner is a metal cylinder surrounded by a strong magnetic field. During the MRI, you will lie on a table that can slide in and out of the cylinder. While in the scanner, you will hear a loud knocking noise, for which you will be fitted with earplugs or earmuffs to muffle the sound. You will be able to communicate with the MRI staff at all times during your scan, and you may ask to be removed from the machine at any time. 

People are at risk for injury from the MRI magnet if they have pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices, brain stimulators, some types of dental implants, aneurysm clips (metal clips on the wall of a large artery), metallic prostheses (including metal pins and rods, heart valves, and cochlear implants), permanent eyeliner, implanted delivery pump, or shrapnel fragments. Welders and metal workers are also at risk for injury because of possible small metal fragments in the eye, of which they might be unaware. You will be screened for these conditions before having an MRI scan, and if you have any, you will not receive a scan. If you have a question about any metal objects being present in your body, you should inform our staff. 

In addition, all magnetic objects (watches, coins, jewelry, credit cards, etc.) must be removed before entering the MRI scan room. It is not known if MRI is completely safe for a developing fetus. Therefore, all women of childbearing potential will have a pregnancy test performed no more than 24 hours before the MRI scan. The scan will not be done if the pregnancy test is positive.