If you've been struggling with persistent sinus issues, for example, nagging facial pain, constant congestion or unexplained headaches, your doctor may recommend a sinus MRI. We’ll guide you through what the procedure involves and what conditions or abnormalities it can help detect, improving your treatment and outcomes.

What is a Sinus MRI?

A sinus MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a safe and noninvasive way to get a detailed look at your sinuses and their surrounding structures.

Unlike a CT scan, which uses X-rays, an MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create high-resolution images of the soft tissues in the sinuses. These images make a sinus MRI especially useful for identifying problems such as infections, tumours or abnormalities in the sinuses that may be causing your symptoms.

Why You Might Need a Sinus MRI

If you’ve been experiencing sinus problems that haven’t gone away with treatment, or your symptoms are accompanied by neurological issues, such as vision problems or severe headaches, your doctor may recommend a sinus MRI to get a clearer picture of what’s going on and help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms, especially if other tests haven’t provided answers. Such symptoms might include:

Abnormal nasal drainage
Repeated nose bleeds
Abnormal findings on another test such as a CT scan or X-ray
A nasal airway blockage that doesn't get better with treatment
Loss of smell
Congenital defects in the sinuses, such as a deviated septum
Injury or trauma to the sinus area
Unexplained headaches
Unexplained sinus pain

Your doctor may also recommend a sinus MRI to plan surgery or evaluate how well past surgery has gone.

What Can a Sinus MRI Diagnose?

Sinus infections (fungal sinusitis): Several types of fungal infections can affect the sinuses, some of which can be very serious and life-threatening. If you have a condition that weakens the immune system, you have a higher risk of complications from fungal sinusitis. An MRI of the sinuses can show how far an infection has spread to nearby areas.
Sinus tumours: Sinus tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), although nasal and sinus cancer is rare. Whether benign or malignant, an MRI can provide detailed images to guide treatment.
Nasal polyps: Nasal polyps are soft tissue growths within the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses. These growths can cause blockages and discomfort, and an MRI scan can help show their location and size, and distinguish them from other issues.
Structural problems with the sinuses: A deviated septum or other abnormalities can often be seen clearly with an MRI.
Chronic Sinus Disease (sinusitis): Chronic sinusitis is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes inflammation of the sinuses. The sinuses will swell up, stopping mucus from draining out of the nose, resulting in sinus pressure, pain and sometimes difficulty breathing or problems with vision. MRI can reveal any inflammation that might explain your ongoing symptoms.
Cysts: Sinus cysts are benign, fluid-filled sacs in the sinuses which can cause discomfort or contribute to frequent and ongoing sinus infections.

How does a Sinus MRI Work?

A sinus MRI uses strong magnetic fields to align water molecules in the sinus tissues, then radiofrequency pulses to disturb this alignment. As the molecules return to their original state, they give off signals that the computer picks up and processes into highly detailed images. Sometimes, your radiologist may use contrast agents (dyes) to enhance the visibility of certain structures or abnormalities. They’ll do this intravenously, administering a gadolinium-based contrast agent through a cannula (a small, thin plastic tube) inserted into a vein in your arm or hand.

What Are the Benefits of a Sinus MRI?

A sinus MRI offers several benefits that make it a valuable tool for diagnosing and managing sinus conditions, such as:

MRI provides exceptional clarity when imaging soft tissues, making it ideal for identifying issues like inflammation, tumours, or cysts that might not be as visible on other scans.
Unlike CT scans, MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves, meaning there’s no exposure to radiation. This makes it a safer option for patients who may need repeated imaging.
MRIs are entirely non-invasive, and most patients find them comfortable, aside from the need to remain still during the scan.
MRI captures high-resolution images of the sinuses and surrounding areas, helping your doctor assess conditions like chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or structural abnormalities.
While certain implants or devices may not be compatible with MRI, it’s generally safe for many individuals, including those who can’t have CT scans due to radiation concerns.
The detailed images from an MRI can help your doctor plan surgeries or other treatments more effectively, which should improve your outcome.

Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?

For most people, a sinus MRI is very safe. However, if you have any metal implants or devices (like a pacemaker), it’s important to let your doctor or radiologist know beforehand. Some people may be allergic to the contrast dye used during the scan.

Some people also feel anxious or claustrophobic during an MRI scan, but your radiologist can help you feel more comfortable, sometimes even offering sedation if you need it.

How Can I Prepare for a Sinus MRI?

Preparation for a sinus MRI is usually straightforward. Your radiologist or doctor may ask you to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the scan, especially if they are going to use contrast dye. You’ll also need to remove any metal objects, like jewellery or watches, and let your doctor know about any medical implants.

What Should I Expect During the Scan?

Changing into a gown: You may need to wear a hospital gown to avoid interference from clothing.
Removing metal objects: It’s important to wear clothing that’s easy to remove with no metal zips or buttons. Also, remove any hearing aids, jewellery, body piercings, hairclips or watches. MRI uses a strong magnet, so metal and electronic items can interfere with imaging or cause burns.
Lying down: Your radiologist will ask you to lie down on a sliding table, which will move into the MRI machine, which looks like a large tube. Your head may be gently secured to keep it still.
The scan itself: You’ll hear loud noises but you won’t feel anything. You’ll be offered earplugs or headphones to make the experience more comfortable. The MRI machine will take images using T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences. These help differentiate between normal sinus tissue and any abnormalities. You’ll need to stay still during the scan, which usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes.
After the scan: Once it’s over, you can usually go home immediately unless your radiologist offered you sedation, in which case you may need to stay a little longer while it wears off.
Image review: Once all the MRI images are taken, your radiographer will analyse them and send a report to your doctor.

How Does a Sinus MRI Feel?

The scan is completely painless and most people feel comfortable during it. However, the noise and confined space can be unsettling for some people who are uncomfortable in confined spaces. If you’re feeling anxious, don’t hesitate to talk to your radiologist - they can help you feel more at ease.

How Do I Get the Results From My Sinus MRI?

Your doctor will review your results and discuss any findings with you within a few days. If you need further treatment, they’ll explain why and what that might include, such as medication, surgery or further testing.

Costs

Depending on where you live and the options available to you, a sinus MRI can cost between £350 and £500 in the UK. It may cost slightly more if you need sedation. Sometimes you can find an MRI scan cheaper than this if your clinic offers off-peak pricing.

How Can I Get a Sinus MRI?

If you’re worried that you or a loved one have symptoms that may be caused by a problem with the sinuses, you can book a private MRI scan today. If you’re unsure whether an MRI is suitable for you, one of our expert clinicians is available for a personalised consultation. They can discuss your symptoms and concerns and help you decide what to do next.

FAQs

Is an MRI or a CT Scan Better For Sinuses?

When it comes to imaging the sinuses, both MRI and CT scans have their strengths, and the choice often depends on your symptoms and what condition your doctor suspects you may have.

Your doctor may be more likely to recommend a CT scan as a first-line imaging technique for acute sinus issues, such as acute sinusitis or trauma, because they are quick, widely available, and excellent at showing bone structures. CT scans are also particularly useful for identifying blockages, fractures, or acute infections and are highly effective at detecting fungal sinus infections, which often involve calcifications or bone erosion that are clearly visible on CT imaging.

MRI scans, on the other hand, provide better detail in imaging soft tissues, making them ideal for more complex or chronic conditions affecting the sinuses. MRI scans are especially valuable for evaluating tumours, cysts, or chronic inflammation and assessing the extent of fungal infections that may have spread beyond the sinuses into surrounding tissues, such as the brain. MRI is also better at differentiating between fungal infections and other soft tissue abnormalities, such as mucus retention cysts or polyps.

What Does an MRI Of Sinuses Show?

A sinus MRI can reveal a wide range of conditions including infections, nasal polyps, tumours, structural abnormalities (like a deviated septum), and chronic sinusitis. It’s particularly effective for revealing soft tissue details that other imaging techniques might miss.

How Long Does A Sinus MRI Take?

The scan itself should take around 30 minutes to 60 minutes to complete. However, you may need to allow extra time for preparation, such as changing into a gown or discussing the procedure with the technologist. If contrast dye is used, this may also add to the overall time. You may also need to allow more time to recover if you have any sedation during the scan.

Sources:

Betts, A., & Cornelius, R. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Sinonasal Disease. (2015). https://journals.lww.com/topicsinmri/fulltext/2015/02000/magnetic_resonance_imaging_in_sinonasal_disease.3.aspx

Chronic Sinusitis: Diagnosis and Treatment. (n.d.). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351667

Frerichs, N., and Brateanu, A. Rhinosinusitis and the role of imaging. (2020). https://www.ccjm.org/content/87/8/485

Langlois, F., et al. Hypophysitis, the Growing Spectrum of a Rare Pituitary Disease. (2021). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8684465/

MRI for Sinusitis. (n.d.). https://www.sinusdoctor.com/mri-for-sinusitis/

MRI Scans. (2023). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007356.htm

Radulesco, T., et al. Role of Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging in the Discrimination of Purulent Intrasinusal Content: A Retrospective Study. (2019). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/coa.13388

Sinus MRI Scan. (2023). https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/sinus-mri-scan

What Are Pituitary Tumors? (2022). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pituitary-tumors/about/what-is-pituitary-tumor.html

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