Hi Zig.

I'm not a doctor, nor a radiographer! 

To the best of my limited knowledge, each MRI "scan" takes about 4 minutes, and takes an image of one slice through the body. There are different scan types (with fancy names like "T1 weighted" and "T2 weighted") which show up different tissue types. So you might have a T1 scan (4 minutes) then a T2 scan of the same slice (4 minutes), then the operator will select a new slice and perform more scans, and so on until the whole volume of interest has been covered. 

I believe that the protocols (positions and types of scan) are decided in advance, and the operator is more concerned with getting the best image quality possible, rather than interpreting what the images might show. So, I think that you're in the machine for same amount of time, whether or not there's anything interesting to see. 

Hi Zig.

I'm not a doctor, nor a radiographer! 

To the best of my limited knowledge, each MRI "scan" takes about 4 minutes, and takes an image of one slice through the body. There are different scan types (with fancy names like "T1 weighted" and "T2 weighted") which show up different tissue types. So you might have a T1 scan (4 minutes) then a T2 scan of the same slice (4 minutes), then the operator will select a new slice and perform more scans, and so on until the whole volume of interest has been covered. 

I believe that the protocols (positions and types of scan) are decided in advance, and the operator is more concerned with getting the best image quality possible, rather than interpreting what the images might show. So, I think that you're in the machine for same amount of time, whether or not there's anything interesting to see. 

That answers a question for me, and I would like to ask another if I may.

i have a pelvic kidney Stage 3 CKD. Saw a nephrologist last week. He is hoping to remove the pelvic kidney because my other ‘good’ kidney is being affected. This is the first time I have ever been followed up after pylenephritis. I had the MRI scan last Saturday and on Tuesday received a letter marked urgent asking me to go for another scan this week. I rang the hospital and I was told the doctor who saw the scan needs more so that he can reach a conclusion and make a diagnosis. It isn’t a repeat of the first one in its entirety. The first one was 1hr. 40 mins. I have been told this one will last 20 mins. I have also had Renogram and Ultrasound scans. I’m really worried, I has breast cancer 2 years ago. Does anyone know why I could have been recalled? The MRI scan only supposed to look at the blood supply to my kidneys.Just a bit scared because the last time I was recalled after imaging I had breast cancer.