MRI Brain: Purpose, Precautions, Risks & Cost (50% Off)
Since the advent of MRI scan in 1977, MRI scan has become an important medical diagnostic technique. It is even more important in case of the brain. As earlier, there was no other way than a surgery to detect problems related to the brain. Thus MRI Brain has in many positive ways revolutionized the neurology related disorder diagnosis. Because of this very reason, more than 25% of MRI scans are MRI Brain.
MRI Brain is getting more popular and its availability is improving. It is also leading to the reduction in the MRI brain scan cost. It is now available for less than Rs 3000/- at 40 different centers in Delhi-NCR.
MRI Brain Purpose
MRI brain has a number of uses in medical diagnostic. Due to its accuracy, cost advantage and availability, it has become very common and popular. Purpose of MRI brain can be very different and depends on problem or patient’s complaint.

It can be used to detect:
1)Stroke-related disorders
Stroke is caused by narrowing of artery or blockage caused by lack of oxygen reaching the brain tissue. It is also called hemorrhagic which is caused by a broken vein or artery. MRA brain (Magnetic resonance imaging with angiography) is often used to diagnose problems related to blood vessels in the brain. It can be useful in diagnosing brain aneurysms (Ballooning of Blood vessel with blood due to the vessel weakness), weak areas of arteries that bulge out like balloons and can cause strokes or other complications.
2)Structural brain defects
Structural brain disorders include conditions like birth defects, damage caused by medical procedures, or cerebral palsy, developmental deformities etc. MRI brain also helps to diagnose the effects of a traumatic brain injury or impact of an accident on the brain.
3)Tumors and Cyst
A brain MRI is helpful in detecting brain tumors or cyst. A contrast or dye may also help in enhanced imaging thus locating small size tumors.
4)Specific conditional usages
It is also used for detection of inflammation of the blood vessels, collection of pus due to infection or injury, multiple sclerosis.
MRI Brain Procedure
MRI scanner is a long cylindrical machine which is open at both the ends. The patient is slid into this opening on the scanner bed. The strong super-conducting magnets generate a strong magnetic field. It is up to 60,000 times stronger than the magnetic field of Earth.
A radio frequency wave is used to process the hydrogen atoms alignment under the influence of magnetic field. These signals are then processed in very powerful computers to generate images of Brain. An image uses up to 250 shades of grey to provide the required contrast in the image.
A radiologist will read these images from brain MRI and your reports should be available to you shortly.
Preparation & Precautions before and after MRI Brain
What is not Allowed Inside?
Zippers, snaps, jewelry and other metals. Any magnetic object is not allowed as it can become life-threatening in the vicinity of a magnet as powerful as this one. Therefore technicians make sure to keep metals outside the exam room.
In fact, India has seen a rare death related to MRI scan. The person carried a metallic oxygen cylinder inside the MRI room during the scan.
Preparations Before the Brain MRI
Before the test, fasting requirements and food precautions are based on particular exams and facility policies. It is advisable to consult your doctor before the scan. Fear of enclosed spaces or excessive anxiety could require sedation for relaxation and to minimize movement.
However, in case you have fear of enclosed space or feeling anxiety, you may take some sedation before brain MRI. The use of sedation can cause vomiting with the possible aspiration of stomach contents, making it necessary to fast.
Special Preparation for MRI Brain with contrast
If your scan requires oral or intravenous contrast material, 4-6 hours of fasting is usually required before the exam. You may also need to carry the blood reports of urea and creatinine level.
A high creatinine test means that your kidneys are not working very well. The physician may decide not to use gadolinium, rather use a lower dose or may order immediate kidney dialysis after the MRI.
Not Advisable
As MRI uses strong magnetic fields, it is advisable that patients with certain kind of medical implants avoid an MRI scan. Some examples include synthetic heart valves, brain aneurysm repair clips, inner ear implants, pacemakers, shrapnel, gunshot wounds and metallic joint replacements.
MRI Brain Side Effects
Though brain MRI is a safe procedure with very few risks or side effects. However, in certain cases, there may be following side effects:
- Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis due to contrast: Gadolinium contrast can cause problems for people with kidney disease. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a very rare complication which is believed to be caused by the use of contrast agents in MRI. It may occur in people with very poor kidney function.
- Breathing Problems due to contrast and sedative especially in kids.
- Malfunctioning of Metallic Implants due to strong magnetic fields.
- Allergic Reactions due to contrast material.
MRI Scan Brain with Contrast
MRI patients are sometimes injected with gadolinium, a contrast agent. The contrast media has special magnetic properties. Use of contrast material improve the image quality and enhance the contrast between different parts of the brain.
This can make abnormalities such as tumors clearer. However, contrast media may cause some discomfort.
MRI Brain Scan Cost
The cost of the brain MRI is reducing over the period of time. As the availability of MRI scan is increasing, it cost is also reducing simultaneously. However, as the cost of an MRI machine & its maintenance is still very high, the reduction in price is gradual and slow.
MRI brain scan cost varies depending on the place, lab, machine quality & type of scan. In cases where a contrast material is used, cost further increases. In most of the big cities in India, government hospitals also provide affordable MRI brain scan but there may be waiting at these centers.
The expenditure on MRI scan can be reduced with the help of online discount providing portal such as BookmeriLab. We provide up to 50% discount at some of the most reputed labs thus greatly reducing the cost. In addition to the cost advantage, most of our associated MRI centers government certified and experts verified for their quality. Presently, we are providing MRI scan facility in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad & Jaipur.
Complete List of MRI Brain Scan Cost with Offer Price
Type of MRI Brain | Normal Market Price (Rs) | Lowest Offer Price (Rs) |
---|---|---|
MRI Brain Scan Cost | Rs 5000-8000/- | Rs 2500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain Scan With Contrast Cost | Rs 9000-11500/- | Rs 4500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Epilepsy Brain Protocol Cost | Rs 8000-10500/- | Rs 4000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Epilepsy Brain Protocol With Contrast Cost | Rs 11000-14500/- | Rs 5500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Diffusion Weighted Imaging Cost | Rs 7000-9000/- | Rs 4000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Diffusion Weighted Imaging With Contrast Cost | Rs 10000-12000 | Rs 6000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Perfusion Brain protocol Cost | Rs 9500-11500/- | Rs 4000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Perfusion Brain protocol With Contrast Cost | Rs 11500-15000/- | Rs 6000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Epilepsy Brain Protocol With Diffusion Cost | Rs 6000-8500/- | Rs 4000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Epilepsy Brain Protocol With Diffusion Contrast Cost | Rs 9500-11500/- | Rs 6000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Venography Brain Protocol Cost | Rs 6000-8000/- | Rs 3000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Venography Brain Protocol with Contrast Cost | Rs 9500-11500/- | Rs 5000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI CSF Flow Study Cost | Rs 9000-11500/- | Rs 4500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI CSF Flow Study with Contrast Cost | Rs 11500-15000/- | Rs 6336/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain FMRI Cost | Rs 7000-10000/- | Rs 4900/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain FMRI Cost With Contrast Cost | Rs 10000-17500/- | Rs 7700/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain Screening Cost | Rs 2000-4000/- | Rs 1500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain with whole Spine Screening | Rs 12000-Rs 15000 | Rs 7000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain with One Part Spine Screening Cost | Rs 8000-10500/- | Rs 4000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain One Part Spine Screening With Contrast Cost | Rs 10000-15000/- | Rs 6000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Whole Spine Screening Cost | Rs 8000-9000/- | Rs 4500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Whole Spine Screening with Contrast Cost | Rs 16000-22000/- | Rs 1750/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain Seizure Protocol Cost | Rs 7000-9000/- | Rs 3500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain Seizure Protocol With Contrast Cost | Rs 9000-11000/- | Rs 5500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain Angiography Cost | Rs 5000-8000/- | Rs 2750/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain Angiography With Contrast Cost | Rs 9000-11000/- | Rs 6000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Orbit Protocol Cost | Rs 6000-12000/- | Rs 3000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Orbit Protocol With Contrast Cost | Rs 9000-15000/- | Rs 5000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain with PNS Cost | Rs 11000-15000/- | Rs 5500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain PNS With Contrast Cost | Rs 11000-14500/- | Rs 7500/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Pituitary Protocol Cost | Rs 9000-11000/- | Rs 3000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Pituitary Protocol With Contrast Cost | Rs 11000-14500/- | Rs 5000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain Tractography Cost | Rs 5000-8000/- | Rs 2750/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain Tractography with Contrast Cost | Rs 9000-11000/- | Rs 6000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Spectroscopy Protocol Cost | Rs 6000-8000/- | Rs 3000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Spectroscopy Protocol with Contrast Cost | Rs 9000-11000/- | Rs 6000/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain SPECT Cost | Rs 14000-Rs 20000/- | Rs 9999/- Avail Offer Now! |
MRI Brain SPECT with Contrast Cost | Rs 14000-Rs 20000/- | Rs 9999/- Avail Offer Now! |
You may also visit our resource on CT scan cost here.
MRI Brain scan results
Brain MRI scan is useful in many different types of cases. Thus the results vary from one person to another depending on the disorder. MRI Brain scan provides the detailed & cross-sectional images of the brain. In general, MRI scan of the brain shows the different section of a brain using shades of grey. These shades represent water and density of the part under study. As any abnormality or tumor will have different characteristic compared to adjoining area. It will show up in the scan.
Whereas an MRA (Magnetic resonance angiography) of the brain results into images of vein and arteries. However, a radiologist is the right person to read these minute variation in your scan. Your report should include the clinical observations from the brain MRI.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about MRI Brain
How long does it take to do an MRI of the brain?
- Time taken for an MRI Brain scan can vary from 20 minutes to 60 minutes. In case of MRI Brain with contrast, time spent at MRI center maybe even more. Time took usually vary based on the purpose of the study and MRI machine capability.
What does an MRI of the brain show?
- MRI of the brain shows the images of our brain. An MRI scan image uses up to 250 shades of grey to provide contrast between different sections/ part of the brain. A radiologist interprets these images or shades in an image to provide an accurate diagnosis of the suspect problems.
How much does it cost to have a brain MRI?
- Brain MRI cost in India ranges from Rs 5000 to Rs 10,000. The cost changes based on many factors like locality, lab, quality & technology. However, BookmeriLab offers up to 50% Discount and cost starts at Rs 2500/- in Delhi-NCR.
Can I eat or drink before an MRI brain scan?
- It depends on the kind of study. Guidelines regarding eating also change from one lab to another. Though, usually, MRI Brain does not require any special eating guidelines. However, in case of MRI Brain with contrast, 4-6 hours of fasting is recommended.
Why do they do an MRI of the brain?
- MRI scan of the brain helps to diagnose problems related to the brain. Kindly refer MRI Brain purpose section above for details.
Which is better MRI or CT scan for the brain?
- CT Scan brain has the advantage of cost & it takes less time. Thus it is preferred in claustrophobic patients. As CT scan is based on X-Ray, it is safe for a patient with metallic implants. CT scan is also better for cortical bone, detection of calcification and metal foreign bodies.
- MRI Scan produces better image quality, especially for soft tissue. Thus, an MRI is more useful for stroke, structural defects etc. As MRI does not use harmful radiation thus it is good for the repeated scan, pregnant women and kids.
Can a MRI brain scan detect mental illness?
- MRI Brain scan ability to diagnose mental illness is still limited. MRI scan is helpful to diagnose disorders that cause changes in the brain such as bleeding, alterations in brain tissue or structure such as brain swelling and infiltrative disorders such as inflammation or brain tumors.
Is an MRI only for the brain?
- Certainly not, MRI scan is an imaging technique which is common for many different illnesses and disorders. However, it is used more for spine & brain-related issues and cancer patients.
Difference between MRI brain with or without contrast?
- MRI brain with contrast (A Gadolinium-based dye) is sometimes used during MRI. It improves the image quality or says enhance the contrast between different tissues. This enhanced contrast helps in diagnosis of hard to detect tumors or issues.
Why MRI Scanner Makes so much noise?
- An MRI Scan uses gradient magnets which are responsible for the noise. These gradient magnets are located in different planes of our body. They modify the magnetic field at very particular points and work in conjunction with the RF pulses. The gradient magnets allow the scanner to image the body in cross-sectional slices – similar to a loaf of bread.
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