MRI scan: how to prepare, how long it takes and what the report means

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sought-after diagnostic examination on public waiting lists in Croatia. Here is what to expect, from preparation to the report. This is general information; binding instructions are given by the clinic performing the scan.

What an MRI shows

An MRI images soft tissue: the brain and nerves, the spine and discs, joints (menisci, ligaments, cartilage), abdominal organs and breasts. For bones and lungs a CT scan or X-ray is more suitable. An MRI does not use radiation but a magnetic field and radio waves, so it can be repeated without harm.

Who should not have an MRI or needs a special check

• People with a pacemaker or defibrillator (newer models may be „MRI-compatible“; confirmation is required).
• Metal implants, surgical clips, metal fragments in the eye: bring your implant documentation.
• Pregnancy, especially the first trimester: the scan is performed only when necessary.
• Claustrophobia: ask about an open MRI or mild sedation.
• Artificial joints, dental implants and stents are generally not an obstacle, but must be declared.

Preparation

Special preparation is usually not needed. Bring your referral (if you are going through HZZO, the national health insurance fund), previous reports and images of the same region, and a list of your medicines. Remove all metal: jewellery, watch, buckles, hairpins, hearing aid, clothing with metal fasteners; you are usually given a gown. If contrast is planned, a creatinine test and a prior allergy questionnaire are sometimes required. For an abdominal MRI you may be asked not to eat for a few hours.

What the scan is like

You lie on a movable table that slides into the tunnel of the scanner. The machine is loud (knocking, buzzing), so you are given earplugs or headphones. It is important to keep still; for a single joint the scan takes 20 to 30 minutes, for the spine or brain 30 to 45 minutes. You hold a call button for the staff in your hand. Contrast is given through a vein and rarely causes side effects.

The report

A radiologist reads the images and writes the report, usually within one to three working days. You receive the images on a CD or via a link. Take the report to the doctor who referred you; they interpret it in the context of your symptoms. Phrases such as „degenerative changes“ or „disc protrusion“ are common and do not in themselves mean that treatment is needed.

Prices and waiting times in Croatia

In the public system the wait for an MRI ranges from a few weeks to more than a year, depending on the hospital and region; we show the current lists on the Waiting lists page. If you have been waiting more than 90 days, you can have the scan free of charge at a contracted private clinic. A private MRI of one joint usually costs 95 to 245 €, of the spine or brain 200 to 260 €, with contrast an extra 40 to 80 €. A comparison by city is on the MRI prices page.