(i) performing a monitoring operation after injection of contrast agent into a patient which includes:

(a) acquiring MR signals of a monitor region of the patient, on the basis of a pulse sequence for monitor scan;

(b) generating slices at different locations based on the MR signals; and

(c) repeating steps a) through b) until an indication that an image scan of a image region of the patient should begin is received, wherein the monitor region is situated upstream of the image region, said displayed projection images enabling monitor images to indicate the state of flow of a contrast agent in a patient and to facilitate identifying start timing for imaging scans by an operator; and

(ii) performing the image scan and reconstructing magnetic resonance images of the image region.