Your Liver MRI scan
Date issued: January 2023
Review date: January 2025
Ref: D-338/EL/Learning Disability Team/Your Liver MRI scan v2
PDF: Your Liver MRI scan final January 2023 v2.pdf [pdf] 425KB
The doctor has asked for you to have an MRI scan.
An MRI machine is a very strong magnet.
We use it to take special pictures of inside of your liver in your stomach (tummy).
It does not hurt.
You can’t eat or drink anything for 4 hours before your appointment.
At your appointment you will meet a radiographer. They take the pictures.
The radiographer will ask you some questions and take pictures of your stomach (tummy) with the MRI.
The scanner is very big.
You may need a cannula (needle) put in your arm. You can ask for numbing cream if you are worried about this.
You have to lie down on a bed and keep very still.
It is VERY noisy so the radiographer will give you some headphones. We can also let you have an eye mask to cover your eyes.
They will give you a call-bell to stop the scan.
The radiographer will tell you how long each picture will take.
You can listen to music.
You will have to hold your breath lots of times.
You can breathe normally in between each test.
A friend, family member or support worker can go in the room with you.
The doctor will use the pictures to find out what is wrong inside your stomach (tummy).
If you have any questions please ring 01752 432511.
You can bring a list of questions with you from home.
If you have a patient passport please bring it with you.
If you are worried about having a MRI talk to your doctor or the Learning Disability Nurses.