Preparation & procedure
How to prepare for an MRI, what to expect in the scanner and how claustrophobia is managed.
Fact-checked medical editorial
Guide to MRI, preventive screening and body scans — articles, glossary and FAQs.
Independent, fact-checked guidance on preparation, equipment, insurance and everything you need to know before booking.
Categories
4 topics
Body regions explained
What MRI can examine per body region, and when CT or ultrasound may be a better choice.
Insurance & regulations
Population screening law, reimbursement and how to claim costs with Dutch insurers.
MRI: basics & technology
What MRI is, how magnetic resonance works and how it differs from X-ray or CT — in plain language.
Patient guides
Kosten, verwijzing, vergoeding en voorbereiding — praktische gidsen op een rij, naast artikelen, begrippen en veelgestelde vragen.
Guide
What does an MRI body scan detect (and what does it not)?
30 May 2026
Realistic expectations: MRI excels for solid organs — but is not a replacement for colonoscopy, chest X-ray or lung CT.
Guide
Is a preventive body scan covered by insurance?
28 May 2026
Basic insurance, supplemental cover and what you pay out of pocket for preventive screening.
Guide
1.5 Tesla vs 3.0 Tesla MRI: why equipment matters for your body scan
24 May 2026
Higher field strength means higher resolution and earlier detection — explained for patients.
Guide
Do I need a referral for an MRI?
23 May 2026
Hospital vs private clinic — when you can book without a referral.
Guide
What does a total body scan cost in the Netherlands?
19 May 2026
Prices, packages and what is or is not included with private total body scans.
Guide
Total body scan costs in 2026: what do you get for your money?
17 May 2026
Standard vs premium packages from roughly €1,500 to €2,750 — and why basic insurance does not cover them.
Guide
Why are preventive body scans performed in Germany?
12 May 2026
How Dutch population screening law (WBO) relates to cross-border 3T clinics.
Latest articles
MRI: basics & technology
Safety: can I have an MRI with tattoos or piercings?
Older tattoos with iron-based ink may heat up; piercings usually need to be removed. Tell the team beforehand.
1 min read
MRI: basics & technology
MRI vs CT: when is each modality used?
CT is fast and uses X-rays; MRI takes longer but often shows soft tissue better. The choice depends on the clinical question.
1 min read
MRI: basics & technology
What is MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)?
MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves — no ionising radiation like X-ray or CT.
1 min read
Insurance & regulations
Dutch population screening law (WBO) explained
What the WBO prohibits for asymptomatic screening without a licence — and what it means for you.
1 min read
Preparation & procedure
Claustrophobia and MRI: open MRI, sedation and alternatives
Up to 20% of patients feel anxious in the scanner. Open MRI, light sedation, music and a companion can help.
1 min read
Preparation & procedure
How do you prepare for an MRI scan?
Clothing, fasting, metal objects, medication and what to bring to your appointment.
1 min read
Glossary
All terms →-
- DWI (diffusion-weighted imaging)
- MRI sequence measuring water molecule movement, used in stroke and oncology to assess cell density.
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- T1 vs T2 weighting
- Two basic MRI contrast modes: T1 emphasises fat and anatomy; T2 emphasises fluid and inflammation. Radiologists combine sequences for diagnosis.
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- RF (radiofrequency)
- Short radio pulses that make tissue protons resonate — the basis of the MRI signal; safe within clinical SAR limits.
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- ACR accreditation
- Quality label from the American College of Radiology, used internationally as a marker for equipment, protocols and reporting standards.
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- Bore
- The cylindrical opening of the MRI scanner. Standard bore is 60 cm; wide-bore is 70 cm; open MRI uses two plates instead of a tunnel.
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- Gadolinium
- Contrast agent injected during MRI to highlight blood vessels, tumours and inflammation. Used cautiously in kidney disease.
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- Tesla (T)
- SI unit of magnetic field strength. Clinical MRI scanners typically operate at 1.5T or 3.0T; higher field strength can mean sharper images or shorter...