Before and after your scan

Plain answers on preparing, safety, costs and what your report means.

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Before your scan

Preparing, safety, contrast, pregnancy and costs.

How to Feel More Prepared for Your First MRIAn MRI can feel unfamiliar, especially if you dislike enclosed spaces. Knowing what happens and speaking up early can make it more manageable.
Iodine and Gadolinium Contrast: What Is the Difference?CT and MRI use different contrast agents. Here is what each one does, what you may feel, and what the team needs to know.
Pregnancy and Medical Imaging: When Radiation Is a ConcernPregnancy does not make every scan unsafe. The type of imaging, body part, stage of pregnancy, and urgency determine how the examination is planned.
What to Bring on Scan Day So You Feel Less FlusteredA simple checklist for scan day, from referral notes and old reports to water, snacks, and the questions you do not want to forget.
Breast Ultrasound and Mammography: Why You May Need One or BothMammograms and breast ultrasounds show breast tissue differently. Age, symptoms, risk, and earlier findings help determine which is appropriate.
Breastfeeding After an X-Ray, CT, MRI, or Nuclear Medicine ScanMost common imaging tests do not require a break from breastfeeding, but nuclear medicine tracers need individual advice.
Can I Have an MRI With My Tattoo, IUD, or Dental Work?The MRI safety questionnaire asks about all of these things, and most patients are not sure what counts. Here is what is actually safe and what to declare.
Do I Need Contrast for My CT or MRI? What Patients Should KnowContrast can make a scan far more informative, but it is reasonable to ask why it is needed and what it may feel like.
How Early Should You Arrive for a Scan?Arriving too late creates chaos, but arriving absurdly early is not always necessary either. Here is a more useful rule of thumb.
How Much Radiation Is in an X-Ray?X-rays use ionising radiation, but the dose varies greatly by body part. Here is how teams limit exposure and weigh benefit against risk.
How to Ask About Scan Costs in Lagos Without GuessingScan costs can vary by center, procedure, report timing, and add-ons. Here is how to ask clearer questions before you book.
How to Budget for a Scan Without Delaying CareCost matters, but delaying the right scan for too long can create bigger problems. Here is a more practical way to think about the money side.
How to Compare Scan Prices Without Sacrificing SafetyPrice matters, especially when you are paying out of pocket, but the cheapest option is not always the wisest one.
How to Prepare a Child for an X-Ray or UltrasoundChildren cope better with scans when they know what is coming, even if the explanation is short and simple.
HSG and SIS: What Each Fertility Test Looks ForHSG and SIS both examine the reproductive tract, but one is mainly used for the fallopian tubes and the other for the uterine cavity.
MRI Claustrophobia: What It Feels Like and How People Get Through ItRoughly one in ten people struggle with the enclosed space of an MRI. The radiographers see it every day, and there are real ways to get through the scan.
Should You Worry About Radiation from a CT Scan?It is reasonable to ask about radiation, but the fear of exposure should be weighed against the value of getting the right diagnosis.
What a Contrast Reaction Can Feel Like, and What Usually Isn't OneWarmth and a metallic taste are common. A true contrast reaction is something different, and it helps to know the difference before scan day.
What Does a Full Bladder Mean for an Ultrasound?A comfortably full bladder can improve some pelvic ultrasound images. The amount and timing of water vary, so use the center's instruction.
What Multiple CT Scans Mean for Your Radiation ExposureCT radiation does not remain in your body, but repeat examinations add to your lifetime exposure. The reason for each scan still matters most.
What to Ask Before Booking an MRI, CT, or UltrasoundA few practical questions before you book can save you money, confusion, repeat visits, and a lot of unnecessary stress.
What to Wear to an Imaging AppointmentSimple, comfortable clothing is usually easiest for imaging, but whether you need to change depends on the scan and body part.
When Sedation Is Used for a ScanSedation can help when anxiety, age, pain, or movement makes a scan difficult. The plan and preparation depend on the level of sedation.
Why a Scan Might Take Longer Than ExpectedA delayed scan does not always mean poor organization. Sometimes the exam itself, the prep, or an urgent case changes the timeline.
Why Fasting Instructions Differ Between ScansSome scans need fasting and many do not. The body part, use of contrast, planned sedation, and center protocol determine the instruction.

Your results

What the words on your report or request form mean.

Scan types

What each kind of scan is, and when it's the right one.

Conditions and care

How imaging helps with common conditions, and care afterwards.