ABSTRACT
Some patients, such as Helen Rosenthal, whose narrative appeared in the British Medical Journal, find the experience of MRI extremely distressing. For others, the opportunity to lie back and relax for an hour or so is a relatively pleasant experience. A closer look at Rosenthal’s description of the MRI scan puts her reaction into context. She was in hospital for removal of an adrenal carcinoma. She knew that the tumour was large, that it was malignant and that she was terminally ill. The MRI scan would play a critical role in determining the size and position of her tumour and the feasibility of surgery. She feared not living to see her children again. Moreover, her tumour was producing high levels of hormones, particularly cortisol, which heightens autonomic symptoms and feelings of anxiety. In summary, Rosenthal described her scan as a ‘microcosm of the experience of knowing that I was dying’. It is not difficult to see why having an MRI scan can cause significant psychological distress.
