A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can be quick, sometimes taking as little as 15 minutes. However, it may take longer depending on the number of images that need to be taken, the part of your body being scanned, and whether sedation or contrast dye is required.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that produces a 3-dimensional image of your internal body parts. MRIs produce a clearer image of soft tissue than CT scans and X-rays, so they’re often used to help diagnose conditions involving:
- nerves and your brain
- muscles
- blood vessels
- organs
- tendons
- ligaments
Read on to learn more about how long some of the most common types of MRIs typically take.
An MRI of the knee usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes. During the procedure, small devices containing coils may be put around your knee to help produce a clearer image.
An MRI of your shoulder typically may take up to 45 minutes. In some cases, the procedure may be as quick as 15 minutes.
Procedures that require sedation may take 15 to 30 minutes longer.
An MRI of your head can help identify conditions affecting your brain. The scan typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Scans that don’t require a contrast dye are generally shorter and may only take 30 to 45 minutes. A limited brain MRI, which takes a quick sequence of brain images, may take less than 15 minutes.
An MRI of your lumbar spine can potentially help identify causes of back pain and conditions involving your spinal cord, and typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes. If a contrast dye is needed, the procedure may take 45 to 80 minutes.
According to a
An MRI of your heart generally takes
A chest MRI typically takes less than 90 minutes. You may need a chest scan if you have an injury or a suspected condition in your chest area.
A breast MRI typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes. In some cases, you may have a contrast dye injected into your arm via an intravenous (IV) line before your procedure. If you require contrast dye, your procedure may take up to 90 minutes.
An abdominal MRI generally takes about 30 to 90 minutes. In some cases, it may take up to about 2 hours. Abdominal MRIs are used for a variety of reasons, such as examining:
- blood flow
- abdominal swelling
- fetal development
A hip MRI generally takes around 45 minutes. Most MRIs for hip pain take roughly 30 to 60 minutes.
A pelvic MRI generally takes about 30 to 60 minutes. If many pictures are needed, the procedure may take longer.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), an ankle MRI typically takes about 40 minutes. In some cases, it may take longer.
Check with your doctor
Ask your doctor how long your MRI may take. They can help you prepare for your procedure and help you understand how long the entire process, from arrival to discharge, may last.
The following factors play a role in determining how long your MRI will take.
- The number of images: If many images are needed for a detailed analysis, your MRI will take longer than a scan taking fewer images.
- The part of your body getting scanned: In general, the larger the area of your body that needs to be scanned, the longer the MRI will take.
- Contrast dyes: Sometimes a contrast dye is given through an IV to help small structures appear more clearly on the images. MRIs that require a contrast dye may take an extra 15 to 30 minutes.
- Sedation: Movement can blur the images taken during an MRI scan, so people who can’t stay still, like some young children and people with claustrophobia, may require sedation before the procedure. Sedatives may be oral or administered through an IV line.
Dive deeper
Check out these articles to learn more about MRIs:
Most types of MRIs take between 15 and 90 minutes to complete. In some cases, your MRI might be shorter or longer. The part of your body getting scanned and the number of images needed play a role in determining how long the MRI will take.
If your MRI requires contrast dye, it will typically last a little longer than MRIs that don’t require it.