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Original poster

MRI - can you speak to the radiographer there and then?

29 replies

Orchidium · 05/03/2023 22:24

As in the title really - do you get the chance to speak to the radiographer after? Do they show you the scans?

OP posts:
Hotvimto3 · 05/03/2023 22:26

Yes you can speak to them. I never got results straight away it was a few days later

Snoopystick · 05/03/2023 22:26

I did when I had a scan for gallstones, he confirmed it there and then when I asked and said my GP would contact me to discuss further. I guess it depends on what the scan is for etc

AnnaMagnani · 05/03/2023 22:28

The scans would need to be reported by the radiologist (doctor who interprets scans) which for an MRI is a lot of images to go through.

So probably they aren't going to say anything at the time.

CornishGem1975 · 05/03/2023 22:30

Not in my experience. I've had MRI, CT and ultrasound in the past year and every time results were just sent to my consultant.

Soontobe60 · 05/03/2023 22:31

I’ve had several MRIs on various parts of my body. I’ve never been told any results or shown any images there and then. I’ve had a couple of ultrasounds and the sonographer discussed the images as he was doing them. I’ve had mammograms and never been told anything - just received an all clear letter a coup,e of weeks later.

OntarioBagnet · 05/03/2023 22:31

Not in my experience. I’ve had several mri and they just say the results will be sent to your consultant. They didn’t even tell me when my leg was broken and I went home walking on it!

AperolSpritzUmbrella · 05/03/2023 22:34

You’ll speak to the radiographer as they’ll be the one getting you in for the scan, in position etc. I would definitely not bank on getting any kind of report or results.

Formal reporting is usually by the radiologist who will want to go through image by image and this takes some time. Locally some routine scans have been taking several weeks.

Occasionally the radiographer will spot something as they are doing the scan that needs more detail or more images taking or a doctor to look at and may discuss this with you but it’s not a given, and it not happening doesn’t mean anything either.

Daimyum · 05/03/2023 22:51

Usually you're told and shown nothing when having the test done. Have to go away, wait for the doctor who ordered it to be in touch. Is different if an inpatient in hospital, the doctor can look at the scan or xray themselves and speak to the radiographer etc.

It also depends on what the mri is of and if any other tests needed.

Sometimes it can take a couple of weeks to be properly reported on, sometimes very quick. A radiographer studies the scan and provides a report on it for the person who asked for it.

It's horrible waiting, I feel for you and understand fully. Have had a secretary phone me, saying I needed an mri as ct abnormal. No explanation.

Next day, after worrying and phoning gp hospital panicking, had a letter from consultant explaining next steps etc. You'll be told in time, but they need to gather the information and then study what they find.

Original poster
Orchidium · 05/03/2023 22:52

Hmm ok. It’s a pelvic scan for a condition I already know I have. I’m just curious as to how some of my anatomy lies (retroverted uterus etc!) so would love to actually see it and see what’s going on once and for all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orchidium · 05/03/2023 22:53

OntarioBagnet · 05/03/2023 22:31

Not in my experience. I’ve had several mri and they just say the results will be sent to your consultant. They didn’t even tell me when my leg was broken and I went home walking on it!

Jesus! That’s unbelievable! Awful for you.

OP posts:
Yellowdays · 05/03/2023 22:59

The radiographer taking the image is not the radiologist, who assesses them.

Mumdiva99 · 05/03/2023 23:04

I asked to see the pictures of my son - just to show him what had been taken and they refused. "Just in case your a doctor and are trying to interpret the results......" We only wanted to see out of curiosity.....

JustDanceAddict · 05/03/2023 23:12

Never, even on a private one. I’ve had a few:
back, brain, knee!! It has to go to a radiologist who sends report to the Dr.

Daimyum · 05/03/2023 23:21

Radiologist studies the pictures sorry, mixed my words up.

Ah I understand now, you're wanting to actually see the pictures of your insides.. curiosity more than wanting the results asap.

I'd be asking the doctor when you're at your appointment for follow up then

MarshaMelrose · 05/03/2023 23:23

You’ll speak to the radiographer as they’ll be the one getting you in for the scan, in position etc. I would definitely not bank on getting any kind of report or results.

I had an MRI at two different trusts. At neither did I meet the radiographer. He was in another room. I was taken in by a HCP, settled, given instructions by them. The radiographer did let me know over an intercom what was happening.

At the end, I was told by the HCP that all the results would be sent to my consultant. So, no, no results given at either trust. I liken it to breast screening. The radiographer, like the nurse, checks they've got clear pictures but doesn't tell you anything.

When you see your consultant, they'll show you the mri and explain it to you. You can also buy a copy of the mri for you to take home and scan at your leisure!

IncessantNameChanger · 05/03/2023 23:34

I have had a few mris and never seen the images on the day. My neurologist showed me my spine and brain without me asking to see them. I have a biology degree so find it fascinating. But seeing my OWN eyeballs and bulging disks pressing into my spinal fluid did make me feel a bit weird. It's not like a ultrasound where you are looking as they scan you. I had a uterine wall cyst on MC scan. No idea what happened to that!

cattygorically · 05/03/2023 23:50

I asked to see my private back scans immediately after as a doctor and they said no!

Neuronamechange · 05/03/2023 23:54

I once asked before a scan as I was curious about what my brain looked like as, after years of MS, I’d never seen it. They briefly obliged afterwards and explained they couldn’t tell me anything but that the new neurologist was known for showing patients and if I asked he’d show me (he did).
At my last MRI I saw the screen as I moved back to change (scan was in a mobile unit) and we laughed about me looking good from that angle.

BelindaMelinda · 06/03/2023 00:23

Not in my experience.

I've recently had an MRI due to dermoid cysts and they wouldn't/couldn't tell me a thing. I had to wait to see my consultant.

By contrast, when I had an ultrasound the technician (? sonographer?) couldn't have been more forthcoming. She showed me my cysts and told me the sizes of those she could see and measure clearly. It was her that told me an ultrasound wouldn't be enough and I'd probably need an MRI! Which was confirmed by my gynae a few weeks later.

Original poster
Orchidium · 07/03/2023 15:04

I tried! They said they weren’t allowed to show me anything.

Frustrating really because after other procedures I have been shown the scans/X-rays etc.

OP posts:
welshpolarbear · 07/03/2023 15:09

Absolutely not. They're not allowed to and will get in trouble if they disclose anything. They often know things but the Radiologist has to report to be sure.

My DH is in this job and he feels awful he can't say, and it puts him in an awkward position, but his job would be on the line if he did this.

welshpolarbear · 07/03/2023 15:12

BelindaMelinda · 06/03/2023 00:23

Not in my experience.

I've recently had an MRI due to dermoid cysts and they wouldn't/couldn't tell me a thing. I had to wait to see my consultant.

By contrast, when I had an ultrasound the technician (? sonographer?) couldn't have been more forthcoming. She showed me my cysts and told me the sizes of those she could see and measure clearly. It was her that told me an ultrasound wouldn't be enough and I'd probably need an MRI! Which was confirmed by my gynae a few weeks later.

That's because the Sonographer is trained in reporting. A Radiographer is not.

If they told you something and it turned out to be incorrect you could end up suing the hospital and they'd be in so much trouble for sharing anything. It's a big no no.

IceFair · 07/03/2023 17:39

In some hospitals the scans are outsourced for reporting. Never had a radiographer comment on an MRI but I have on ultrasounds.

maddy68 · 07/03/2023 17:45

They won't tell you. Only your doctor is lowed to give you the results

Mistymountain · 07/03/2023 19:23

You can do a SAR (subject access request) to the hospital and they will eventually send you copies of your scans. The information on how to do this is likely to be somewhere on the hospitals website. It will probably take a few months and you'll need to send proof of identity but I've got copies of all my brain scans.