What to Expect

Knowing what to expect can help make you more comfortable. At Pocono MRI after the preregistration process, you will be brought back into the changing room area, where our staff will review the completed medical history form with you briefly for your own safety.

Please avoid wearing makeup because some products may contain metallic particles. You will be asked to empty your pockets and remove any metallic jewelry such as eyeglasses, watches, nonpermanent dentures, hairpins, any piercings, and personal possessions such as wallets, car keys, and credit cards. You may choose to wear a sweat suit that is free of metal or change into a hospital gown if your clothing has metal zippers, snaps, hooks, etc. Your personal belongings can be stored in your own secure locker during your scan.

There are usually some refreshments available in the changing area for your convienience.

The staff will then accompany you to the scanning room and help you get situated on the table. During the scan, you will lie on the padded table on your back with a cushion under your knees. The cushion helps take the pressure off your lower back and allows you to be more comfortable. You will also be offered earplugs or earphones to listen to music during the scan. You can choose from a variety of our CDs, bring your own, or listen to a favorite radio station or choose to watch your favorite show on Television.

The table then lifts up and slides into an opening. This NEVER closes. It is open the entire time on both ends. You typically go in head-first with your head near one opening. If you look above, you can clearly see out one end. If you look down towards your feet, you will easily see out the other end. More than likely the lower part of your body is out of the scanner altogether. Alternatively, if we perform an MRI of your foot, knee, or leg, you would go in feet first and your head is outside the scanner. Either way, the technologist will be able to see you throughout the entire scan and will talk with you over the headphone/intercom system.

We are the only MRI facility which has large windows on two sides of each MRI room which permits you to look out and avoid getting claustrophobic.

It is important that you are able to lie still for a few minutes at a time for each set of pictures (there are usually four or five sets each lasting a few minutes). Scans vary in length but usually last 15-45 minutes. The technologist will talk to you over the headset intercom and let you know when they will start each session and how long they will last.

During the picture taking, you will hear a repetitive knocking noise. Nothing moves or touches you and you will not feel any discomfort- it's just noisy. The headset with music helps muffle this. Ask the technician to adjust the volume of the earphones if needed. Basically, when you hear the noise, lay as still as you can so the technologist can get very clear images for the doctor to read. Motion will blur the images. The technologist will tell you before they begin each set of pictures.