MRI examination of the Prostate Gland (english)

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1 MRI examination of the Prostate Gland (english)

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3 Shortly you will be expected at the Radiology Department in the Radboudumc for your appointment for a MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of your prostate gland. With this leaflet we would like to explain in general terms, how the examination is carried out. It is possible that your procedure may vary from the one described in this leaflet. We request that you read the following information and should you have any questions, you may contact us, weekdays between on telephone number (024) or at the reception desk at the Radiology Department on Route 780. At the Radiology Department there is more than one type of MRI scanner. Your scanner may look a little different to the one pictured here. What is an MRI examination? An MRI scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves (not X-rays) to create pictures, on a computer, of tissues, organs and other structures inside your body. The MRI scanner is like a tube about 1.5 metres long, surrounded by a large circular magnet. You lie on a couch which then slides into the scanner. The part 1

4 of your body being examined is positioned in the middle of the tube (to obtain the best images) and while each picture is being taken you will need to keep still, otherwise the scan images may be blurred. The examination is carried out by a radiographer together with a radiologist. During your scan the radiographer can see you via a television screen and you will be given a rubber ball to hold, which is an alarm signal to the radiographer that you wish to speak to them. MRI has been shown to be extremely safe as long as proper safety precautions are taken. In general, the MRI procedure produces no pain and causes no known short-term or long-term tissue damage of any kind. Metal / MRI safety Metal objects in or outside your body are attracted to the strong magnet in the scanner, therefore, you may not enter the MRI examination room with, for example, a wheelchair, keys or coins. Credit/bank cards with a magnetic chip, hearing aids, mobile phones and watches, are damaged when close to the strong magnet in the scanner (the magnet is always switched on!) Should you (or your companion) have a pacemaker/defibrillator (ICD), a neurostimulator in the spine, aneurysm clips, dentures/teeth with implanted magnetic fastenings, a bladder stimulator or a permanent insulin pump, then you may not enter the examination room. This also applies to foreign metal objects, such as metal splinters (especially in or near the eyes), shrapnel or bullet wounds and older types of heart valves, aneurysm clips or certain cochlear (ear) implants. You may be required to problem. We request that you complete the attached checklist and bring it with you to your appointment. Should you have answered any questions with a yes, we request that you contact the Radiology Department. How to Prepare for the Examination Unless otherwise requested by your specialist, you may continue to take any medications and eat and drink normally. Rings and piercings made of gold or silver may be worn as the magnet doesn t affect these items. All other items of jewellery and watches are best left at home. Please wear comfortable clothing with separate top and bottoms. Should any clothing contain metal parts (e.g. zips or underwired bras) you will be given a gown to wear. 2

5 Sexual activity/ejaculation Sexual activity, in particular ejaculation, influences the quality of the images of the prostate gland and can make interpretation of the MRI images more difficult. For this reason we ask you to refrain from sexual activity or ejaculation for 4 days prior to your appointment. Rest room For an accurate diagnosis it s very important that your bladder is empty. It s also very important that there s no air in your bowel. Therefore we would explicitly ask you to empty your bladder and bowel prior to the MR examination. During the MR examination the technician will insert a small tube into the rectum to remove the remaining air from your bowel. Optionally it s also possible to insert the tube yourself. Medications Usually you can continue to take your medications as prescribed, however your doctor may advise you to temporarily stop taking certain medications. We would advise you to bring your medication passport (available from your pharmacist) or alternatively, make a list of all medications that you are taking at the time of your scan. Claustrophobia People with severe claustrophobia may be anxious about undergoing an MRI scan. Should you have severe claustrophobia, then please inform your specialist or GP of this, as they may prescribe a mild sedative. Even a mild sedative will affect your ability to drive, so please make sure that you make other arrangements for transportation to the hospital. Contrast Agents It is possible that a contrast agent may be administered during your scan. This is determined by the specialist and radiologist and allows the differences between organs and tissues on an MRI scan to be seen more clearly. To administer the contrast agent the radiographer will insert a cannula/intravenous line and will remove the cannula at the end of the examination. During the examination the 3

6 radiographer will administer the contrast agent when you may experience a cold sensation in the arm or a strange taste in the mouth. These sensations only last a few seconds. Rarely do patients have a reaction to the contrast agents used for MRI scans, but should you have had a reaction in the past, please contact the Radiology Department as the radiologist can in consultation with your specialist, take preventative measures. If you have a reduced kidney function we would also request that you contact the Radiology Department. The Examination You are required to report to the Radiology Department (Route 780) 10 minutes before the time stated on your appointment card or letter, keeping in mind that it s a 10 minute walk from the main entrance to the Radiology Department. Should you require assistance with mobility, transportation can be arranged at the reception desk in the main hall. When you check in at the Radiology Department, your details will be verified and corrected if necessary. Should you have forgotten to bring your check list then you will be required to fill out a new questionnaire. You will then be directed to the correct waiting area. The radiographer or assistant will collect you (and your companion) from the waiting area, bring you to a changing room where you (and your companion) will be required to leave all metal objects, telephones, credit-bank cards etc, behind. An intravenous line will be inserted and the procedure will be explained. You may direct any questions to the radiographer at any time before or during the preparation for your examination. When you enter the MRI examination room, you will be required to lie on the scanner table. To detect the tiny radio signals that are emitted from the body, a receiving device is placed behind or around the area to be examined. You will be given a rubber ball to hold onto during the scan. This is the alarm bell and the radiographer will instruct you as to when you can use it e.g. if you are suffering from a panic attack, claustrophobia or any other emergency. On hearing the alarm the radiographer will check on you and remove you from the scanner if necessary. The part of your body being examined is placed in the middle of the scanner (an open-ended, cylinder-shaped machine about a one and a half metres long). During the examination you will hear different kinds of loud noises (knocking/buz- 4

7 zing) but will be given earplugs or headphones to wear. If you wish you may listen to the radio. During the examination many images are taken. Some images only take a few seconds to make, others several minutes. Once the noise has stopped, then one set of images have been made. During the making of the images and the time in between, you will be required to lay very still. Once all the images have been made the radiographer will slide you out of the scanner and remove the intravenous line. The whole examination takes on average, around 30 minutes, but in some cases can take up to an hour or longer. In all cases it is necessary to administer a medication, Buscopan, to reduce movement of the bowels and so decrease motion artefacts on the images. This is administered by the radiographer via the intravenous line, just before the start of the examination. You may not receive these medications should you have: Increased pressure in your eyes (glaucoma) Increased or irregular heart rhythm A muscular disease Stricture of the colon (large bowel) A problem with urination whereby you have to insert a catheter to empty the bladder Should you have any queries over this medication you may contact your specialist, radiology department or ask the radiographer during the preparation for your examination. After the Procedure One of the possible side-effects of the medication Buscopan, is that you may have blurred vision. This is only a short-term, temporary side-effect, but would recommend that you bring someone with you that can drive you home, or to make use of public transport. You may eat and drink normally after your examination. 5

8 The Results The results of your MRI scan will not be available immediately. A radiologist will interpret the images and report to your specialist. You will receive the results from your specialist at your next appointment. Cancelling or changing your appointment If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so that your appointment can be given to another patient. You can call the Radiology Department on weekdays between 08:30-16:45 at (024) Should you wish to cancel your appointment we request that you also inform your specialist. Disclaimer In this leaflet, how the examination is carried out is only a general description of a procedure. It may be that your specialist requests a procedure that may vary from the one described here, as it is not possible to list every variant of the procedures that are carried out. Risks and side-effects are only explained in general terms and possible complications will be explained by your specialist. 6

9 Please make a note of any questions you may have, here below

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12 Radboud universitair medisch centrum