What is an MRI?

  • An MRI is a camera that uses a large magnet (not radiation), to take detailed, two and three-dimensional pictures of a child’s organs, tissues and bones.
  • An MRI helps to find a diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • An MRI does not use radiation, but instead uses magnets.  You and your child must be screened for any metal inside the body and will be asked to remove any jewelry, or clothing, that contain metal before entering the MRI suite. 
  • Any personal belongings that contain metal can be locked in a secure cabinet during the scan. 
  • After being screened, one caregiver may accompany the child during the MRI.
  • The MRI is an open tunnel with a bed attached which moves in and out of the tunnel.  The tunnel never touches the child.  Some children say the MRI looks like a spaceship or a doughnut!
  • An MRI scan is not painful.
  • In order to get the best results, it is very important that the child holds still for the scan.
  • Depending on the type of scan, the time it takes to complete an MRI can range between 30 minutes to two hours (most MRIs of the brain may take about 45 minutes).

Women who are pregnant are not permitted in the MRI room during the scan. Please plan to come with someone who can stay with your child during the scan. All other visitors must stay in the waiting room and any children must be supervised by someone 18 years old or older.​

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The services included in our state-of-the-art facility include:

  • Bolus Track: MRI fluroscopy for contrast enhanced studies.
  • Mobitrack: Moving table for extended body MR-Angiograms.
  • Neuro Imaging: Faster high resolution protocols. fMRI allows you to map brain task-related regions prior to surgery.
  • Cardiac Imaging: Fast imaging and reconstruction allows for heart imaging. Learn more about Cardiac MRI.
  • Fetal Imaging:  Fetal MRI allows to evaluate the developing fetus during pregnancy.
  • Sense (Imaging Technique): Allows 77 frames/sec for cardiac studies and breath-hold abdominal studies.
  • Navigator Pulse (Imaging Technique): Reduces heart motion and motion from breathing for cardiac studies.
  • Pediatric Head and Spine Coil: Allows for two exams in one seating for tumor screening.
  • MRS: Spectroscopy and multivoxel spectroscopy. Measures a variety of metabolites in the brain tissue.
  • Volumetric Imaging.
  • Expanded sedation and recovery areas for patients.

The Largest Provider of Pediatric MRI

In 1985, Nicklaus Children's Hospital installed the first MRI unit in the city of Miami, and was the first MRI facility in the United States dedicated to pediatrics. In 1998, the hospital became the first MRI unit in Miami to offer functional MRIs or fMRI. The Radiology Department of Nicklaus Children's Hospital is the largest provider of pediatric MRI services in south Florida.


Reviewed by: Nolan R Altman, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM

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