MRE (Magnetic Resonance Enterography) Scan factsheet

Introduction

Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE) is a type of scan that takes clear pictures of your child’s small intestine and bowel.

It is used to check for conditions like Crohn’s disease and see if there are any problems in the small intestine and bowel, such as:

swelling
narrowing
blockages
bleeding
tumours.

MRE is a type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. MRI scans use strong magnets and radio waves to create a detailed picture of the inside of the body.

A special liquid called contrast is used to make the pictures clearer. The contrast moves through the body and highlights any problem areas in the bowel and nearby tissue.

Contrast can be given:

orally as a drink
through an intravenous (IV) cannula in the hand or arm.

Before the scan

Your child’s bowel needs to be empty before the scan. They will need to:

stop eating food six hours before the scan
stop drinking fluids two hours before the scan.

Bring your child’s favourite cordial, not fruit juice, to mix with the oral contrast.

You will need to let the staff in the medical imaging department know if your child has any:

medical devices, like a pacemaker
metal implants, like pins or plates
allergies or previous reactions to a test or scan.

To prepare for the scan, your child will:

change into a hospital gown
drink at least one litre of oral contrast mixed with cordial over 60-90 minutes
wait for 30 minutes before drinking two glasses of plain water
have an IV cannula will be placed in their arm or hand.

Numbing cream

Needles can be uncomfortable for children. Numbing cream can be used for children over two years old.

If your child needs numbing cream, you will need to:

ask for it before the day of the scan
arrive 30 minutes early to the appointment so it has time to work.

During the scan

The scan takes around 30–60 minutes, depending on what the doctor needs to look at.

Generally, the steps are:

your child will lie on the scanning bed inside the tunnel and must stay still for the whole scan
the machine will make loud noises as it takes images
your child will be asked to hold their breath at different times
a nurse may enter the room during the scan to give IV contrast through the cannula.

Some machines will have a screen to let your child watch a movie during the scan. Speak to your child’s treatment team about whether this is available.

After the scan

Once the scan is complete, your child’s IV cannula will be removed. They can then change back into their clothes before going home.

The results will be sent to your child’s doctor within a couple of days. You will need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your child’s doctor to discuss the results.

Management

What to Expect from the MRI Machine

The MRI machine is a large tunnel where your child will lie during the scan. Some children may find it feels small or cramped. It can help to talk to your child about this and practise lying still in a small space, like under a bed or in a play tunnel.

The machine makes loud and unusual noises while it takes pictures. Playing these sounds to your child before the scan can help them feel less scared.

Breath Holding Techniques

Your child will need to hold their breath during parts of the scan. This helps the hospital team take clear pictures. There are two ways to practise breath holds: holding their breath in, and holding it out. Practising at home can make it easier on the day of the scan.

To practice breathing in:

ask your child to take a deep breath in until they can’t breathe in any more
tell them to stop and hold their breath while you count to 10–20 seconds
remind them to keep their mouth, cheeks and tummy still
tell them to let go of the breath they are holding
let them breathe normally before starting another breath in.

To practice breathing out:

ask your child to take a deep breath in
tell them to blow all the air out through their mouth
when they can’t blow any more, tell them to stop
remind them to keep their mouth, cheeks and tummy still
let them breathe normally before starting another breath out.

On the day of the scan, your child may be asked to show how they hold their breath.

They will be told which type of breath hold to do during the scan. Instructions will be given through a speaker in the room, letting your child know when to hold their breath and when to breathe normally.

Supporting your child during the scan

Scans can be stressful for children. You can help by:

explaining why the test is needed and how it works in simple words
bringing comfort items like a blanket, toy, or dummy
asking the treatment team about support from Child Life Therapy services
arriving 30 minutes early if using numbing cream.