What the risks are:

There is no ionizing radiation involved in MRI, and there have been no documented significant side effects of the magnetic fields and radio waves used on the human body to date.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. However, you should not receive gadolinium if you are pregnant because it can potentially harm your unborn baby. Allergic reactions to gadolinium rarely occur. The person operating the machine will monitor your heart rate and breathing as needed.

There have been recent reports of fibrotic skin diseases in patients with severe kidney failure who received MRI dye. If you have severe kidney failure, tell your doctor before the study.

People have been harmed in MRI machines when they did not remove metal objects from their clothes or when metal objects were left in the room by others.