For MRI examinations, the body is divided into separate anatomical units known as regions (e.g. the head, one section of the spine, a specific joint or the pelvis).

Region-specific MRI examination protocols are designed and optimised to image one such anatomical unit or region at a time.

If more than one area of your body needs to be examined, this is classified as a multi-region examination.

Information about examining multiple regions during the same appointment and the relevant pricing considerations can be found in the expandable section entitled “Fees for combined, multi-region examinations”.

A non-contrast MRI examination is a standard examination performed without the use of a contrast agent.

In most cases, this alone is sufficient and may provide accurate information in cases such as:

• joint injuries;
• joint pain and degenerative changes;
• herniated discs;
• certain prostate or brain conditions.

During the examination, we use a special gadolinium-based substance administered intravenously, known as an MRI contrast agent.

In certain cases, the contrast agent makes organs and structures easier to distinguish, allowing abnormalities to be assessed more accurately.

Contrast agent is generally used for most MRI examinations of the abdominal and pelvic organs. It may also be required when examining other regions, including in the following cases:

• inflammatory abnormalities;
• suspected tumours;
• follow-up examinations after previous surgery.

We perform contrast-enhanced examinations only on the basis of a specialist's recommendation and a written clinical indication.

Your consent is also required before the contrast agent can be administered.

If contrast agent becomes necessary during the examination

A radiologist may decide during the examination of a patient originally booked for a non-contrast examination that the precise nature of an abnormality can only be assessed reliably by administering a contrast agent.

In this situation, the decision is yours. Administration of the contrast agent is voluntary, and you may refuse it.

Please note, however, that without contrast agent the diagnosis may remain incomplete or inaccurate.

Extending a non-contrast MRI examination to include contrast administration will result in an adjustment to the examination fee.

If additional imaging becomes necessary during reporting

After a completed and paid non-contrast MRI examination, the specialist radiologist may determine while reporting the images that additional contrast-enhanced imaging is essential to establish an accurate diagnosis.

In this case, we will ask you to return, and you will only be required to pay the additional charge for the contrast-enhanced imaging.

An examination is considered combined when two or more regions are examined by MRI during the same appointment.

Common combinations include:

• the head and cervical spine, for example in cases of multiple sclerosis, headache or dizziness;
• the cervical and lumbar spine, for example in cases of spinal pain affecting multiple regions or numbness in the upper and lower limbs;
• joints on both sides of the body, such as the right and left knee;
• the abdomen and pelvis for a comprehensive examination of the internal organs.

Benefits and pricing considerations for combined examinations:

• You only need to complete the administration and preparation process once.
• For a contrast-enhanced multi-region examination, the full contrast-agent surcharge is not charged separately for each region. The surcharge is applied to one region only.
• Duration: multi-region MRI examinations take longer and may last 40–60 minutes.
• When multiple regions are examined during the same appointment and repositioning is not required, we offer a discounted combined fee instead of adding together the full individual prices.

An “examination of limited diagnostic value” means that the images obtained do not provide complete or fully detailed diagnostic information.

In such cases, the examination may be less successful or less detailed than expected, and image quality may be lower.

This does not mean that the examination was unnecessary. It means that certain external or internal factors reduced image quality, or that MRI is not the most appropriate imaging method for examining the organ concerned.

The examination fee covers the service and diagnostic process. This includes use of the scanner and the work of the specialist doctors and radiographers. We must therefore charge the full examination fee even if the images are of limited diagnostic value for reasons beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.

Why might an MRI examination be of limited diagnostic value?

• Motion artefacts: for a successful MRI examination, the patient must remain still throughout the examination. Pain, involuntary reflexes, coughing or claustrophobia may cause the images to become blurred.
• Metal in the body: although MR-compatible implants, stents, prostheses, dental materials and fixed orthodontic braces may be safe, they can distort the magnetic field in their vicinity. This may cause an artefact—that is, image distortion or signal loss—so the area immediately surrounding the metal cannot always be assessed accurately.
• Body size and shape: the dimensions of the scanner or significant excess weight may cause technical difficulties and image-quality problems.
• Characteristics of the organ or body region: non-contrast MRI has limited suitability for examining certain organs, such as the air-filled lungs, the stomach and the moving bowel.
• Absence of contrast agent: intravenous contrast agent is required for the accurate assessment of certain tumours, inflammatory conditions or vascular structures. If the examination is performed without contrast, its diagnostic value may therefore be limited.

If you find enclosed spaces difficult, have limited mobility, find it difficult to remain still because of severe pain, or are significantly overweight, please tell us when booking your appointment.

For an unsuccessful examination, we charge an administration, scanner-time reservation and availability fee of HUF 10,000.

What is considered an unsuccessful examination?

• Claustrophobia or panic: the patient is unable to tolerate the examination because of claustrophobia or a panic attack.
• Restriction due to body size: the MRI scanner has an internal diameter of 60 cm and a limited maximum load capacity. The examination cannot be performed if the patient cannot fit safely into the scanner because of their body shape, significant excess weight or severe obesity.
• Interrupted examination: the patient asks for the examination to be stopped because of a panic attack, illness, severe pain or another reason, and the images obtained up to that point are diagnostically insufficient or cannot be evaluated at all.
• Contraindication: while completing the MRI consent form on site, it is discovered that the patient has non-MR-compatible metal or an implant in their body, and the examination therefore cannot be performed safely.

In certain exceptional cases, our institute waives the examination fee in full on compassionate or professional grounds.

No fee is charged in the following cases:

• Unexpected technical failure: if we cannot perform the examination because the MRI scanner suddenly malfunctions, you will not incur any costs.
• Immediate medical assistance is required: if, during the examination, we discover an unexpected, serious condition requiring immediate treatment—one that is life-threatening or may cause permanent harm—and you must be transported immediately to hospital with the assistance of the National Ambulance Service.
• The reporting doctor requests additional imaging: if our radiologist determines that the examination must be repeated or supplemented to establish an accurate diagnosis because the earlier images were of limited diagnostic value.

Although our institute handles difficult situations with the greatest possible empathy, the patient is not exempt from paying the examination fee in the following cases.

• Incidental finding: a serious abnormality is discovered that is not immediately life-threatening. In such cases, we recommend an urgent specialist consultation.
• Sudden illness during or after the examination:
  • the patient's condition suddenly and severely deteriorates during the private MRI service;
  • a claustrophobic panic attack occurs, but the sequences acquired during the interrupted examination provide sufficient images of diagnostic quality to answer the clinical question;
  • a hypersensitivity reaction to the contrast agent occurs.

In the event of illness, panic or an allergic reaction, our staff will provide immediate first aid, stabilise the patient and, if necessary, call an ambulance to transport the patient to the public emergency care system. Because of the care provided by our professional staff and the reserved scanner time, the examination fee must also be charged in these cases.

The examination fee can only be paid by bank transfer or bank card.

Details required for a bank transfer