Do I have to be sober?
There is no compelling necessity to be sober before the MRI examination. In some special cases, however, a several-hour fasting period should be observed. This usually applies less to an examination of the kidneys than to an imaging of the bile ducts and the gastrointestinal tract with contrast medium. In such cases, the contrast medium is swallowed and then passes through the digestive system. In individual cases, it should be clarified with the attending physician whether the examination must be performed with an empty stomach.
Do I need contrast medium?
Contrast medium is not necessarily required for an MRI of the kidneys. Magnetic resonance imaging alone already provides good spatial imaging of the kidneys and of changes in inflammatory and tumorous processes. Furthermore, the inside of the kidney and the urinary tract can be assessed.
However, if the aim is to distinguish between similar tissues and their changes, contrast media are used. This method also allows a better assessment of masses and inflammations. The contrast medium uptake differs between healthy and diseased tissue and can provide important information about the exact course of events.
A further important indication is the assessment of the ureteral pathways, i.e. the kidneys, ureters and bladder. In general, the contrast medium containing gadolinum is very well tolerated and is not radioactive. In contrast to the X-ray contrast medium, it contains no iodine and can therefore also be used in the case of an iodine allergy.
The contrast medium is applied via a venous access. With normal kidney function, it is removed from the body with the urine in less than 24 hours. Only in a few cases do allergic intolerance reactions to the contrast medium applied occur. Patients with severe kidney disease and shortly before or after a liver transplant should refrain from contrast medium examinations.
How long does an MRT examination of the kidney take?
The duration of the examination is on average about 20 to 40 minutes. The application of a contrast medium usually takes longer than an MRI examination alone. Throughout the entire examination, the staff has access to the tube of the MRI machine via video camera.
If the patient wants to make himself noticed, he can press a bell.During the entire examination, the patient should maintain as calm a body position as possible. In this way a good image quality is guaranteed. The cost of an MRI examination of the kidneys depends on the effort involved and the specific problem.
For clarification of a medically justified suspicion, the health insurance usually covers the costs of the diagnosis. If the MRI is performed at the patient’s own request and without a medical referral, the costs must be covered by the patient. The scale of fees for doctors applies to patients with private health insurance.
Patients of a statutory health insurance company are billed according to the uniform assessment scale. In general, the costs of an MRI in the area of the pelvic organs or abdomen (below the diaphragm to the pelvic floor) are 256 Euros according to the scale of fees for physicians. A surcharge of about 60 Euro is made for the use of contrast medium or change of position according to the Medical Fee Schedule for Physicians. The maximum value for the services rendered is 350 Euro.
