How to view your MRI scan at home
Doctors are not always on call when worry hits. You can still load your own MRI at home in a respectful, grounded way — seeing the images without pretending the screen replaces your clinician. OpenMyScan is for looking, not for diagnosing.
Quick answer (3 steps)
- Copy the hospital's DICOM folder onto your computer.
- Open
https://openmyscan.comand drag the folder into the page. - Scroll slowly, note questions, and stop before you guess what any bright spot "means."
Step 1 — Get the files ready
Use the same steps as any other guide here: copy the disc or USB contents locally, or unzip the download from your portal. You want the folder that holds hundreds of small files, not a lone PDF report (keep the report, but it is separate from the pictures).
If the folder opens in OpenMyScan with multiple series listed in the sidebar, you are in the right place.
Step 2 — Learn what you are seeing (without becoming a radiologist)
Each row in the sidebar is a different acquisition — think of them as different camera filters. Brightness can be low at first; adjust the window sliders or tap Easy-view on MRI if the image looks muddy. Pan slowly: anatomy is layered, and your question ("Is that blob new?") needs the official measurement tools and training you do not have at home.
It simply shows pixels your hospital already created.
Step 3 — Stop before self-diagnosis
When you feel the urge to Google every hyperintensity, close the search tab and write the term down for your doctor. Anxiety spikes are common after imaging; they are not proof something catastrophic appeared overnight.
If scrolling raises new worries, schedule a visit or portal message instead of spiralling alone with the viewer.
Step 4 — Bring questions, not conclusions
Jot bullet points: "Series labelled FLAIR — what should I notice?" "Does this match my symptoms?" Let the clinician connect imaging to your story. Bring the radiology report PDF if you have it; it is the legally signed interpretation.
Common problems at home
- The scan feels overwhelming
- Limit yourself to ten minutes, focus on one series, then step away.
- I think I see a tumour
- You might be looking at normal vessels or flow artifact — only your team can say.
- My partner wants to look too
- Share the experience, but agree beforehand that neither of you is diagnosing.
- The viewer says the screen is too narrow
- Use a laptop or iPad landscape; phones are not supported.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tell if something is wrong by looking?
Usually no. Radiologists train for years; even they seek second reads. Use the images to orient yourself, not to label illness.
What do the different series mean?
Each sequence highlights tissue differently — T1, T2, FLAIR, etc. They are tools, not grades of seriousness.
Does this work offline?
Yes, after the first successful load. OpenMyScan caches in your browser, so you can use it on a plane or without WiFi as long as the page loaded once. Your files stay local either way.
Do my files upload anywhere?
No. OpenMyScan runs entirely in your browser; your scan never leaves your device. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the viewer still works.