Home · Brain MRI
Private brain MRI in Preston.
A brain MRI gives detailed pictures of the brain and surrounding structures, without radiation. Our GP assesses you first, so the scan is the right one and the result means something.
In short
- Detailed and radiation-free. MRI shows the brain, nerves, pituitary gland and inner ear structures in fine detail.
- Assessed first. Most headaches don't need a scan. Your GP checks your symptoms so a scan is arranged when it can help.
- Explained after. A consultant radiologist reports the scan and your GP goes through it with you.
When a brain MRI can help
- Headaches that have changed in pattern, or that need a scan after GP assessment
- Dizziness or vertigo, including one-sided hearing loss or tinnitus
- Numbness, tingling or weakness that your GP wants to investigate
- Changes in memory or thinking, alongside a clinical assessment
- Peace of mind when worry is affecting your life, after talking it through with a GP
A typical brain MRI takes around 20 to 40 minutes. Some scans use a contrast injection; your GP will tell you if yours does.
- A sudden, severe headache, like being hit on the head, or the worst headache of your life
- New weakness, numbness or drooping of the face, arm or leg, or trouble speaking
- A headache with fever, a stiff neck, a rash or confusion
- A headache after a head injury, or a seizure
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away.
Worth knowing
Most headaches are not caused by anything serious, and most brain scans for headache are normal. That can be genuinely reassuring, and it is one of the main reasons people choose a scan.
Scans sometimes find small, harmless things, such as tiny white spots that become common with age, or small cysts. Your GP explains what is significant and what is not, so a minor finding does not become a major worry.
Other scans and guides
Spine
Neck and back pain, sciatica, trapped nerves and disc problems.
Find out more →
Knee, shoulder and joints
Sports and work injuries, ligament, cartilage and tendon problems.
Find out more →
Abdomen and pelvis
Ongoing symptoms, liver and gallbladder questions, and prostate MRI.
Find out more →
Whole-body MRI
A head-to-pelvis health scan, with an honest explanation of what it can and cannot tell you.
Find out more →
What to expect
Safety checks, the scan itself, claustrophobia, contrast and your results.
Find out more →
CT scan
Fast, detailed scans of the chest, abdomen and bones, including heart calcium scoring and low-dose lung CT.
Find out more →Ready to get answers?
Book online, call 01772 282189, or message us on WhatsApp.