What to Expect: Xenon MRI | Cincinnati Children's
•March 10, 2026
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Why It Matters
Clear preparation for Xenon MRI reduces anxiety and ensures high‑quality lung imaging, speeding diagnosis for children’s respiratory conditions.
Key Takeaways
- •Xenon gas provides clear, odorless breath for lung MRI imaging
- •Patients must practice breath-holds using a straw before scanning
- •The procedure lasts about 30 minutes with multiple breath-hold cycles
- •Headphones and music help mitigate loud MRI scanner noises
- •Results appear in MyChart within 24 hours for physician review
Summary
Patients undergoing a Xenon‑enhanced MRI at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital receive a step‑by‑step guide that demystifies the scan. The video explains that MRI uses powerful magnets and computers to capture detailed lung images while the patient inhales a clear, odorless gas called xenon, which is safe to breathe.
Key procedural details include practicing breath‑holds with a straw and a clear plastic bag before entering the scanner, wearing a specialized coil vest for optimal image quality, and remaining still while the machine produces loud knocking noises. The technologist cues the patient to inhale xenon, hold the breath for roughly ten seconds, and repeat the cycle several times during a 30‑minute session.
The video highlights comfort measures such as headphones, music or short videos, and outlines post‑scan logistics: images are uploaded to MyChart within 24 hours and forwarded to the ordering physician. Viewers are directed to the hospital’s radiology website for additional resources and support.
By standardizing preparation and communication, the protocol aims to reduce patient anxiety, improve scan reliability, and accelerate diagnostic turnaround, ultimately enhancing pediatric lung care.
Original Description
This video will help you know what to expect when having a Xenon MRI at Cincinnati Children’s. MRI is a special type of camera that uses strong magnets and computers to take detailed pictures inside your body. To see your lungs and how they work, the MRI camera will take pictures while you breathe in a special air called Xenon. Xenon is clear, has no smell or taste and is safe to breathe.
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