Upper abdominal MRI

What does the upper abdominal MRI offer me?

In this MRI scan, we examine the organs located in the upper abdomen: the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. The adrenal glands, lymph nodes, and aorta are also examined. An MRI scan of the upper abdomen visualizes the solid organs and can detect or rule out any abnormalities in these organs.

Note: If you have already undergone an examination (such as an abdominal ultrasound) and have been referred to a specialist, please contact us before scheduling an appointment.

Please note: At Prescan, we cannot properly assess the intestines with an MRI, and we are not allowed to screen for cancer, such as colon cancer and prostate cancer, according to Dutch legislation.

Insight into liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and aorta
Detection of, among other things, fatty liver, kidney stones, and aneurysms
Safe, painless, and without radiation
Results the same day

Specifications Upper abdominal MRI

MRI scan

gastroenterology Upper abdominal

Details

Provides insight into
Pros and cons
Alternatives
Risks
Technical description

Provides insight into

An MRI scan of your upper abdomen is intended to detect potential conditions early, but if you experience any symptoms or notice significant changes, you should always contact your GP.

General:

We can, for example, see whether there is a rupture in the abdominal wall and whether abnormalities are visible.
Diverticula: bulges in the intestines that can become inflamed and cause abdominal pain.
Liver: fatty liver can be detected.
Liver abnormalities: other abnormalities in the liver can be detected.
Aorta: we also examine the body’s main artery (aorta) for abnormalities, such as a dilation (aneurysm).
Kidneys: we can examine the kidneys for abnormalities, such as large kidney stones or signs of infection.
Spleen: abnormalities in the spleen can be detected.

What we cannot assess well:

Esophagus, stomach, and intestines. These organs are too mobile.
Small kidney stones are not clearly visible.

It is possible that an examination may lead to incidental findings. Before the examination, Prescan will ask whether you wish to be informed about incidental findings for which monitoring or treatment is possible, and incidental findings concerning conditions that may affect your offspring. Prescan is not permitted to inform you about incidental findings for which no monitoring or treatment is possible (see NEN 8051 standard for more information).

The results of the examination can be shared with your general practitioner. For more information about preventive medical examinations, Prescan recommends consulting the following independent sources:

Brochure from KNMG

RIVM Health Testing website

Pros and cons

Pros:

High image quality without radiation: An MRI scan provides highly detailed images of organs and tissues without the use of harmful ionizing radiation, unlike for example an X-ray or CT scan.
Non-invasive and safe: The examination is safe and non-invasive, meaning that no needles or procedures are required, making it more comfortable for the patient.
No contrast medium required: For this specific MRI scan, no contrast medium is used, which makes the examination safer for people who may be allergic to contrast media or have kidney problems.

Cons:

A preventive MRI scan of the upper abdomen can sometimes detect benign abnormalities that pose no risk. This may cause unnecessary worry or anxiety, especially if follow-up examinations are required to rule out something serious.
In some cases, harmless abnormalities may mistakenly be seen as concerning, which can lead to unnecessary follow-up examinations or additional scans. This can cause stress, even if it later turns out there is no problem. Prescan will never make a diagnosis or provide treatment in such cases, but will refer you to your general practitioner for further examination.
People with metal implants such as pacemakers or surgical clips may not always be able to undergo an MRI due to the use of strong magnets.
The enclosed space of the MRI machine can be an issue for people with claustrophobia.
Without contrast medium, some small abnormalities may be less visible on the scan. This means certain details are harder to detect, and additional examinations may sometimes be needed to get a clear picture.

Alternatives

If you have symptoms, we advise you to contact your general practitioner. Prescan focuses on preventive health checks and is not intended for examining existing complaints.

(Not offered by Prescan)

Possible alternatives are:

CT scan
PET scan

Risks

Claustrophobia: anxiety in the confined space, which may be managed with sedatives. Sedatives must be obtained through your general practitioner or a pharmacy.
An important risk with an MRI scan is the presence of metal in the body. MRI uses strong magnets, and metallic objects or implants can therefore be attracted, which may be dangerous. This applies to:
- Metal implants: Individuals with metal implants such as pacemakers, stents, or joint prostheses must always inform their physician. Some modern implants are MRI-safe, but this must be checked beforehand.
- Metal in the body: Splinters or other small metallic objects in the body may shift or heat up during the MRI, which can cause injury.
- Metallic objects: It is important to remove all metallic objects such as jewelry, watches, and piercings before the scan, as these may be attracted by the magnetic field.

To avoid risks, a thorough screening is conducted before the MRI to check for the presence of metal.

Technical description

MRI Scanners

Prescan uses 1.5 and 3 Tesla scanners. The choice of scanner depends on the availability at the location. Unfortunately, clients cannot select a specific scanner. However, both types of scanners provide reliable and accurate images, and the choice of scanner does not affect the outcome or the quality of the examination.

MRI Protocol

The MRI protocol at Prescan has been developed in consultation with radiologists and MRI technicians to ensure optimal image quality, suited for preventative medical screening. While a standard protocol is followed, radiologists may decide to deviate from it based on the specific situation and apply a customised scan protocol.

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Thanks to our specialists, you can count on the best possible care.

Our experts range from cardiologists and MRI technicians to dermatologists and radiologists. What makes them specialists is their years of experience and their passion for what they do.

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