Brainlab Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for Pediatric Patients

This information will help you get ready for your Brainlab MRI scan at MSK. In this resource, the words “you” and “your” refer to you or your child.

About your Brainlab MRI

An MRI is an imaging test that uses magnetic fields to make pictures of the inside of your body. It can be used to see the type, size, and location of tumors.

For people with a brain tumor, a Brainlab MRI is used to look at their brain. Your doctor will use the detailed pictures from your Brainlab MRI to plan your surgery.

The MRI scan will take about 1 hour.

During your Brainlab MRI, you can use Cinemavision (special headphones and goggles) to watch a DVD or listen to music. If you want to do this, tell your nurse so they can arrange it.

Before your Brainlab MRI

Getting ready for your MRI

• If you have a programmable ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, it’s important that you know the shunt type and setting before your MRI. If you don’t know, ask the doctor who placed your VP shunt. If you don’t have this information before your MRI, you may not be able to have the MRI that day.
• If you wear a medication patch on your skin, you may need to take it off before your MRI. This is because metal in the patch may heat up during your MRI and cause burns. Make sure you have an extra medication patch with you to put on after your MRI. Please check with your doctor or nurse.
• If you’re a female between the ages of 11 and 55, your doctor or nurse will ask you if you’re pregnant. You may have to take a pregnancy test.

Take devices off your skin

You may wear certain devices on your skin. Before your scan or procedure, device makers recommend you take off your:

• Continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
• Insulin pump

Talk with your healthcare provider about scheduling your appointment closer to the date you need to change your device. Make sure you have an extra device with you to put on after your scan or procedure.

You may not be sure how to manage your glucose while your device is off. If so, before your appointment, talk with the healthcare provider who manages your diabetes care.

About contrast dye

You may need to have contrast dye (also called contrast) during your MRI. Contrast is a special dye that makes it easier for your doctor to see differences in tumors. This will help us to get a clearer picture.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you’re going to have an MRI with contrast. If you are, you’ll get the contrast through an intravenous (IV) line in your hand or arm or a needle in your central line or implanted port (Mediport^®).

Reactions to the contrast dye are rare. However, if you’ve had a reaction to contrast in the past, tell your doctor or nurse.

Note the time of your Brainlab MRI

A staff member will call you 1 day before your MRI. If you’re having your Brainlab MRI on a Monday, they will call you on the Friday before. If you don’t get a call by 4:00 p.m., please call 212-639-5948.

The staff member will tell you what time to arrive for your MRI. They will also remind you where to go. This will be one of the following locations at Memorial Hospital (MSK’s main hospital):

• Center for Image-Guided Intervention (CIGI)
  1275 York Avenue (between East 67th and East 68th Streets)
  C elevator to the 2nd floor
• 11th floor MRI Suite
  1275 York Avenue (between East 67th and East 68th Streets)
  B or C elevator to the 11th floor

The day of your Brainlab MRI

Things to remember

• Unless you’re told otherwise, you can shower and wash your hair the morning of your MRI. Don’t use any hair products (such as hair spray or hair gel).
• Don’t wear any metal objects. Take off all jewelry, including body piercings.
• Leave valuables, such as credit cards, jewelry, or your checkbook, at home.

What to bring

• An extra medication patch, if you wear one.
• A case for your glasses, if you wear them.

What to expect

When you first enter the MRI suite, you will fill out a questionnaire about any medical implants or devices you have. You will put your clothes, credit cards, and any objects (such as your phone, jewelry, coins, and glasses) in a locker. This is because objects with even a small amount of metal can fly into the MRI machine’s magnet, and the magnet can damage mobile phones and credit cards.

You may need to change into a hospital gown before going into the scanning area.

If you’re getting contrast during your Brainlab MRI, the MRI technologist (the person in charge of doing your Brainlab MRI) will place an IV line in one of your veins or put a needle in your central line or implanted port.

The MRI technologist will bring you to the scanning room and help you onto the MRI table. The MRI machine is a large, donut-shaped magnet. It makes a loud tapping noise during the scan. The technologist will offer you earplugs or earphones to listen to music. If you planned to use Cinemavision during your scan, they will give you the Cinemavision headphones and goggles.

Once you’re comfortable on the MRI table, the technologist will slide it into the magnetic part of the machine and begin the scan. The scan will take about 1 hour. You will be able to speak with the technologist during the whole scan.

It’s important to lie still and breathe normally during the scan. The scan doesn’t hurt, but some people have a hard time lying still on the MRI table. If you’re having trouble lying still, tell the MRI technologist.

After your Brainlab MRI

• When your Brainlab MRI is finished, the MRI technologist will move the scanning table out of the machine and help you off the table. After you get your belongings, you can leave the MRI area.
• If you got anesthesia, you will be taken to the pediatric recovery room in the PACC. You will stay there until you’re fully awake.
• There are no restrictions after your Brainlab MRI. No special care is needed.
• Your doctor will get a report with the results of your MRI.