Items, Clothing, Prostheses, and Devices That Must Be Removed Before Entering the MRI Room

The MRI scanner acts like a powerful magnet that attracts metal and iron-containing objects rapidly. Therefore, before the examination, the patient must remove all metal items, such as jewelry, watches, pens, bank and magnetic cards, and mobile phones.

The magnetic field can also attract or heat metallic materials inside the body. Patients with implants or prostheses must inform the technician and the doctor before the scan.

The magnetic field used in MRI can interfere with certain medical devices such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, neurostimulation systems, pacemakers, insulin pumps, intracranial aneurysm clips, and other medical implants. Some prostheses and devices are MRI-compatible, while others are not. If you have a medical report or discharge summary (epicrisis) provided by your hospital or physician regarding your implant, please show it to your doctor before the MRI examination.

Some substances do not interact with the magnetic field but can affect image quality. Examples include eye makeup (mascara), dental fillings, piercings, and tattoos.

What Is the Contrast Agent Used?

The contrast agent used in MRI contains gadolinium. Unlike the contrast agents used in CT and fluoroscopy, it does not contain iodine, and allergic reactions are extremely rare. However, patients with kidney disease must inform the technician and doctor before the examination.

What Preparations Are Required for an MRI Examination?

For abdominal MRI examinations, fasting for 6–8 hours is usually required. Additional preparation instructions, if needed, will be provided in advance.

How Long Does the Examination Take?

The duration of the MRI examination varies but typically lasts between 20 and 70 minutes. The number of image sequences taken and the need to repeat scans due to patient movement can extend this duration.

During the procedure, if you feel any discomfort, you can communicate with the technician outside by pressing the emergency button given to you or speaking through the intercom system.

Can MRI Be Performed During Pregnancy?

MRI does not use radiation; it operates with radiofrequency waves. MRI can be performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, contrast agents are not used during pregnancy. In breastfeeding mothers, contrast agents can be used, but it is recommended to pause breastfeeding for one day afterward.

Can People with Claustrophobia Undergo MRI?

About 5% of patients experience discomfort during MRI due to claustrophobia. Sedative medications can be administered before the procedure if needed.

For certain scans, such as foot MRI, the patient’s head remains outside the scanner, which helps reduce discomfort.

How Often Should I Have a Mammogram?

After the age of 40, it is recommended to have a mammogram every 1–2 years. In certain cases—such as a family history of breast cancer, the presence of BRCA gene mutations, or a history of radiation therapy to the chest wall—screening may begin at an earlier age.

Mammography is used not only as a screening method but also as a diagnostic tool. For patients who detect a palpable lump in the breast, mammography can be performed earlier and more frequently than routine screening intervals. Images can also be taken in single or alternative positions depending on the clinical need.

What Preparations Are Needed Before a Mammogram?

The best time to have a mammogram is during the week following the end of your menstrual period. Mammography is generally not recommended in the week before menstruation unless absolutely necessary, as the breasts tend to be more sensitive during that time.

Before the examination, the underarm area should be cleaned, and no powder, deodorant, perfume, or cream should be applied. Residues from these products can cause false images on the mammogram.

Previous mammograms are extremely valuable for diagnosis and comparison. If your earlier scans were performed at another center, please bring them with you for evaluation.

How Is the Examination Performed?

Our radiology technician will properly position your breast on the mammography unit and apply gentle compression. This compression helps prevent small cancers from being obscured by normal tissue and also reduces the amount of radiation required.

Images are taken from several positions for both breasts, and the entire procedure takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Can Patients with Breast Implants Have a Mammogram?

Yes. Patients with breast implants can also undergo mammography using special positioning techniques to ensure proper imaging.

What Preparations Should I Make for the Examination?

Medication may occasionally be required for abdominal examinations. Your doctor will inform you if this is necessary in your case.

Can I Breastfeed After the Examination?

There is no restriction on breastfeeding after the examination.

What Preparation Is Required?

Blood-thinning medications should be discontinued three days before the procedure.

How Is a Core Needle Biopsy Performed?

The area where the biopsy will be performed is first identified and the skin is sterilized.
Local anesthesia is then administered with a small needle. A tiny incision is made, and the biopsy needle is advanced through this incision to the target tissue.
Once an adequate sample is collected, the procedure is completed. Pressure is applied to the biopsy site afterward.
No stitches are needed — the area is covered with a bandage, and it is recommended to keep it dry for 24 hours.

Will I Feel Pain During or After the Procedure?

You may feel some discomfort when the needle is advanced. After the procedure, minor bleeding, swelling, or pain may occur. Pain can be managed with medications prescribed by your doctor.

It is also advised to avoid strenuous activities for one day following the procedure.

What Preparations Are Required Before a CT Scan?

Preparations vary depending on the area to be examined. Detailed instructions regarding preparation will be provided when scheduling your appointment.

Before the scan, all metallic objects near the target area should be removed. Metallic materials can cause artifacts—bright streaks or distortions that degrade image quality.

For all CT scans requiring contrast material, 6–8 hours of fasting is necessary.

Since CT uses ionizing radiation, patients must inform the medical team if there is any possibility of pregnancy before the examination.

Patients with kidney disease must also notify the staff prior to the scan.

How Long Does the Examination Take?

The CT scanner is open at both ends, and the scan itself takes only a few seconds, excluding preparation time. Depending on the number of phases acquired, the total procedure time is approximately 1–5 minutes.

What Is the Contrast Material Used and What Are Its Effects?

CT examinations use iodine-based contrast agents, administered intravenously and, for abdominal scans, sometimes orally.
Patients with known allergies must inform the staff before the procedure.

Those with kidney disease must also mention it in advance. If necessary, kidney function tests may be requested prior to the scan.

When the contrast material is injected, you may feel a warm sensation, a metallic taste in your mouth, or a brief urge to urinate. These sensations are temporary and pass quickly.

Can CT Be Performed During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?

CT can be performed during breastfeeding. The procedure does not leave or accumulate radiation in the body.
If no contrast material is used, breastfeeding can continue immediately after the scan.
If contrast material is administered, it is recommended to pause breastfeeding for 24 hours afterward.

How Should I Prepare?

For abdominal (abdomen) examinations, fasting for 6–8 hours is required.
In cases where there is significant gas or excessive subcutaneous fat tissue, image quality may be reduced, and additional examinations may be recommended if necessary.

For examinations of the bladder and female reproductive organs, the bladder should be full.

Our center will provide you with detailed instructions before the examination.

Can I Breastfeed After the Examination?

There is no restriction on breastfeeding after the examination.

What Preparations Are Required Before the Procedure?

Other than stopping blood-thinning medications three days prior to the procedure, no special preparation is needed.
If additional preparations are required, your doctor will inform you.

How Is a Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) Performed?

The area where the FNAB will be performed is cleaned and disinfected.
Using a fine needle—with or without local anesthesia—samples are collected until sufficient material is obtained.
Multiple passes with the needle may be required to collect adequate tissue.

During the procedure, it is important not to swallow or speak.
Afterward, pressure is applied to the puncture site, which is then covered with a small adhesive bandage.
It is recommended to keep the area dry for 24 hours.

Will I Feel Pain During or After the Procedure?

During the FNAB, you may feel some discomfort or an urge to swallow as the needle passes through the skin, soft tissues, and thyroid gland.
After the procedure, mild pain or redness at the puncture site may persist for a few days.

What Are the Risks of the Procedure?

There may be bleeding or infection in the thyroid gland, surrounding tissues, or at the needle entry site.

What Preparation Is Required?

Since surgery will be performed after wire localization, all necessary preoperative preparations must be completed beforehand.