Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans have become a staple of modern day diagnostic medicine, as they can provide detail in images that allow doctors to diagnose almost any condition. However, many patients are in a state of anxiety waiting for the MRI scan reports and often question: How much time will it take to prepare my MRI scan report? Knowing the timeline and the factors that contribute to that timeline will help with anxiety and expectation.
What Happens After an MRI Scan?
Following your MRI scan, the images are sent to a radiologist who has specialized training in assessing medical images. The radiologist methodically analyzes the images for abnormalities or problem areas. After completing the analysis, the radiologist generates a report with their findings and may offer recommendations for additional testing or treatment. After acquiring this report, your referring physician will share the findings with you.
Typical Time Frames for MRI Scan Reports
Different factors can affect the timeline for creating and distributing an MRI scan result. However, in general, you can expect the timelines below:
Standard MRI Reports: In specific diagnostic centers, the majority of non-urgent MRI scan reports are generally created and distributed to your doctor within 4 to 5 hours. But it is common, and in many hospitals, clinics and possibly not urgent care outpatient facilities (which may be where more scans are done) to take one to two weeks for conventional MRI findings.
Urgent Cases: If you have an MRI scan because of an emergency, for example, a stroke, tumor or suspected spinal cord compression, you can receive the findings within a hurry, usually just a few (or up to 24) hours.
Private vs. Public Facilities: Due to increasing demand and backlogs, public hospitals (NHS) may take as long as eight weeks for non-urgent cases; whereas, private imaging is also increasing demand thus, not always able to be always offer quicker turnaround (and report sometimes being available at approx. 7 working days).
Factors Affecting the Reporting Time
The time it takes to generate an MRI scan report may be impacted by the following factors:
Complexity of the Scan: Generally, scans that are more complex or single scans that require multiple images (full body or contrast-enhanced) will take longer to interpret.
Radiologists’ Workloads: The amount of scans that a radiologist has to review (especially in busy hospitals) may quickly eat into available reporting time.
Case Priority: Emergency cases are typically reported and prioritized much more quickly than regular cases.
Specialist’s Availability: If a scan requires input from several doctors (e.g., to make a cancer diagnosis), the process is likely to take even longer.
Administrative Processes: It takes time for doctors and departments to receive, distribute, and process reports.
Accessing Your MRI Scan Report
The referring physician gives most patients their reports of MRI scans, goes over the reports and explains things that might need to happen next. While images may not always be provided, some imaging centers have websites with portals that allow access to reports as soon as they are available.
What can patients expect?
Straightforward Cases: If a case is neatly contained, depending on the institution you should expect the report in a few days to 2 weeks.
Reports of Urgent Cases: Reports are available in hours, or sometimes 1 or 2 days later.
Communication: If there are urgent findings, your doctor will call you. If there are no urgent findings, then you will get the results at your next appointment.
Conclusion
The time required for the completion of MRI Scan Reporting will vary; however, it is possible to manage expectations while understanding the processes and factors involved. If you need results quickly, tell your health care provider and they may be able to fast track things. While it is never easy to wait, remember that thorough and accurate reporting is necessary for your clinical diagnosis and treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How quick can MRI results be?
You’ll usually receive your MRI result within 7 days.
Q. Can MRI results be read immediately?
Result is depended on your physician and type of scan, also your abnormality matters in this case.
Q. Does MRI have side effects?
Most people don’t feel side effects but if contrast dye is used, you might feel a temporary allergy. In any case consult with your doctor always.
Q. Who writes the MRI report?
Your radiologist will write your MRI report by interpreting and analysing the report.
Q. What does a tumour look like on MRI?
A white or very light mass.
Q. Can MRI show nerve damage?
Yes, MRI scans can show nerve damage.
Q. Is MRI better than CT?
MRI scan is able to detect minor and major issues of soft tissues, brain and spinal cord and many others without using ionized radiation.
