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Brain MRI, arranged by a GP.
If headaches have changed, or dizziness, numbness or memory worries won't go away, a brain MRI gives clear pictures without radiation. A GP talks it through with you first, so the scan answers the right question.
At a glance
- No radiation. MRI images the brain, cranial nerves, pituitary gland and inner ear in fine detail.
- GP first. Most headaches don't need imaging, so a GP checks whether a scan will actually help.
- Results explained. A consultant radiologist reports the images and your GP calls you to discuss them.
Reasons people have a brain MRI
- 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.
Before you decide
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.
Brain MRI in London
Your GP consultation is by phone or video, so there is nothing to travel for until the scan itself. We book your scan at a partner centre near your home or work, anywhere in London.
If you are claustrophobic, open upright MRI in Fitzrovia may suit you better. Ask us when you book.
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Book online, message us on WhatsApp or call 01772 282189. Your GP consultation is by phone or video.