How long does an MRI scan take?

MRI scan duration by body part

Scan time depends on how many sequences your referring doctor has prescribed and whether contrast is needed. Below are typical durations at Imaging World, Bopal:

What's the total time from arrival to leaving?

Beyond the scan itself, expect about 15 minutes for check-in paperwork, screening for metal and pacemakers, gowning up, and positioning on the scanner table. After the scan, you can leave immediately — there's no recovery time for routine MRI. Plan for around 1 to 1.5 hours total at the centre for most scans.

What makes an MRI take longer than expected?

• Additional sequences — your radiologist may add diffusion, spectroscopy or post-contrast sequences if findings need clarification
• Patient movement — even slight movement can blur images and require a sequence to be repeated
• Claustrophobia or anxiety — pauses for patient comfort extend total time
• Multi-region studies — whole spine or whole body MRIs are sequential, not simultaneous
• Contrast injection — adds ~15 minutes for the IV line, pre-injection screening and post-contrast sequences

When will I get the MRI report?

At Imaging World, most routine MRI reports are delivered the same day. Urgent and critical reports are prioritised and shared digitally within hours. The radiologist reviews every image set and prepares a complete written report — there are no extra reporting fees.