What could delay your results?
The MRI scan itself does not take long, it is the process after that could cause a delay. After your scan, the radiology technician will then inform the radiologist that the images are available. The technician might have to transmit the images to the radiologist. However, some hospitals have a radiologist on-site that could help review the image, this will hasten your results. Alternatively, your doctor might have to contract with a radiologist who stays in a different location to examine and interpret the pictures.
The radiologist will then write a report of their discovery. If they observe anything life-threatening from the image, they will immediately notify the doctor that ordered the scan. If there is no case of emergency, they will deliver their report to the patient’s doctor.
Once the report and images get to the doctor that ordered the MRI, they will review it and decide if they agree or not with the radiologist’s findings. If they don’t, they will seek out a second opinion from another radiologist.
When a conclusion is made on the results, your doctor will then brief you on it, either over the phone or in his office at your next appointment.
The delay in the process is usually a result of the busy schedule of all the professionals involved. Reviewing the MRI itself does not take long.