If your physician has ordered a brain scan, then he or she suspects a problem or a health issue. Brain scans are never performed as a preventive measure. A brain scan can reveal brain tumors, strokes and even multiple sclerosis as well as bleeding in the brain, tumors of the pituitary gland and other brain masses from as small as 5 millimeters.

The Brain Scan Procedure

Your physician will send you to an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) center for a brain scan. At the center, you will be taken to a room where you will be asked to lie down on a table, the table will then move into the MRI machine where pictures will be taken. The technician will ask you to hold your breath so that you don't move. The entire process is brief and takes only a few short minutes with absolutely no exposure of radiation.

In most MRI centers you'll be able to leave your clothes on during the procedure, so it is important that you don't have any of the following in your pockets:

• No metal zippers

• No metallic buttons

• No jewelry

• No keys

• No coins

• No credit cards

• No dentures

• No eye glasses

• No makeup - numerous brands of cosmetics contain metallic powders

In most cases your physician will have the results of your brain scan the same day that it is taken. If you have a pacemaker, insulin pump, aneurysm clips, vascular coils and filters, heart valves, ear implants or surgical staples and wires you should not have an MRI. If you have any of these implants or if you are pregnant, you should tell the technician before the procedure.

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