Who reads the results of an MRI scan?
Michael Gray
Updated on June 06, 2026
A radiologist, a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology tests such as MRI, will analyze the images and send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician, who will share the results with you.
Can MRI technician see results?
The Imaging Center's protocol is to tell patients their results must come from their doctor. “Plenty of patients ask, but techs should not give information and should not even react to what they're seeing on the image,” Edwards said.Is no news good news after MRI?
It's a generally held aphorism that “no news is good news”. In fact the opposite should hold when it comes to healthcare. If you have had a recent scan, blood test or other kind of medical investigation, the best policy to adopt is “no news is bad news”.Do radiologists interpret MRIs?
Radiologists are specially trained to interpret all kinds of diagnostic imaging, from x-rays to CT scans, from MRIs to angiograms.How quickly will doctor call with MRI results?
The swift transmission of diagnostic information is important to both patients and referring physicians. The results from an MRI scan are typically interpreted within 24 hours, and the scans themselves are usually given immediately to the patient on a disc after the MRI is complete.How to Read an MRI of the Brain | First Look MRI
Do neurosurgeons read MRI?
Thirty-nine per cent of the psychiatrists and 11% of the neurologists only read the report but not the MRI images. Interestingly, no neurosurgeons reported reading only the report, but 7% declared they only read the MRI images. None of the other specialties, neurology or psychiatry, reported analysing only the images.Do you always get a follow up appointment after an MRI?
Ideally, when your doctor orders an MRI, they should tell you how long it will take to obtain results. You will typically go to a follow-up appointment to review not only your results, but also the treatment options relevant to the MRI findings.Why does it take 2 weeks for MRI results?
Some of the biggest factors include: The Timing of the Scan: Depending on when you have your MRI stand, it may take longer for you to get your results. For example, if you get your MRI scan done in the middle of the night, on a weekend, or during a holiday, it may take longer for the radiologist to get to your scan.Is no news good news with doctors?
No news isn't necessarily good news for patients waiting for the results of medical tests. The first study of its kind finds doctors failed to inform patients of abnormal cancer screenings and other test results 1 out of 14 times.Do all doctors know how do you read MRI?
A radiologist, a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology tests such as MRI, will analyze the images and send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician, who will share the results with you.How do I get MRI results?
The radiologist will send a report to the doctor who arranged the scan, who will discuss the results with you. It usually takes a week or two for the results of an MRI scan to come through, unless they're needed urgently.Do radiologists see patients?
Some radiologists, Kazerooni says, are already much closer to their clients. Those who specialize in breast imaging, for example, have a lot of patient contact, as do interventional radiologists who perform procedures akin to minimally invasive surgery.Do doctors call if results are normal?
Often, routine blood or imaging tests are part of preventive care. That includes things like cholesterol tests, mammograms, or Pap smears. If results are normal, they can usually be delivered via a phone call, letter, or secure message.Do you get brain MRI results right away?
The radiologist may tell you some of the results of the MRI right after the test. Full results are sent to your doctor or specialist in 1 to 2 days. Normal: All structures of the head—the brain, its vessels, spaces, nerves, and surrounding structures—are normal.Why would a doctor order an MRI?
An MRI provides a clearer picture of abnormal tissues. It is a better scan for looking at ligaments and tendons, your spinal cord and other soft tissues. A CT scan can give you a higher-quality picture of bones and is better for diagnosing chest and lung problems as well as detecting some cancers.What does an MRI report show?
The MRI scan is used to investigate or diagnose conditions that affect soft tissue, such as: Tumours, including cancer. Soft tissue injuries such as damaged ligaments. Joint injury or disease.Why would an MRI take longer than expected?
The number of images. If many images are needed for a detailed analysis, your MRI will take longer than a scan taking fewer images. The part of your body getting scanned. In general, the larger the area of your body that needs to be scanned, the longer the MRI will take.Is it normal to be tired after an MRI?
You won't have pain from the magnetic field or radio waves used for the MRI test. But you may be tired or sore from lying in one position for a long time.What should you not do before an MRI?
What Should You NOT Do Before an MRI?
- Maybe Not Eat or Drink.
- Maybe Limit Your Bathroom Trips.
- Always Listen to Your Preparation Instructions.
- Do NOT Keep Metal on Your Body.
- Tell the Technicians About Any Pre-Existing Conditions.