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MRI -Magnetic Resonance Imaging
What
is an MRI?
 Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an advanced diagnostic tool used by
radiologists to detect subtle abnormalities that are not
visible using other types of imaging. The MRI scanner uses a
very powerful magnetic field to image the human body. The
magnetic fields used in MRI have attractive forces many times
that of small hand-held magnets. A specially design.ed computer
creates extremely clear and precise images to help find subtle
abnormalities within the body. For some MRI scans, a contrast
(dye) injection may be necessary to highlight certain tissues
for closer examination. MRI exams do not involve X-rays or
radioactive material.
How
do you prepare for your MRI?
- For most scans, there are
no special preparations.
- If you are having an abdominal or pelvic MRI, please
don't eat for 3 hours prior to the scan and drink water only
to swallow medications.
- Do not wear metal or jewelry.
- Let your doctor know if you have any implants, especially:
-
Pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator
- Brain aneurysm clip
- Cardiac stent
- Stimulators
- Metal in your eye
- Notify us in advance if
you have renal (kidney) disease.
- If you are or may be pregnant, tell your physician.
- You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to your
scheduled appointment.
- If you must cancel or reschedule, please call us at least
24 hours before your appointment.
Special instructions
for liver, kidney, adrenal, gallbladder and pancreas MRI
exams:
- Do not eat or drink for 3
hours before the exam.
Special instructions
for breast MRI exams:
- Bring any mammogram,
breast MRI, breast ultrasound and/or breast biopsy films and
reports that have been performed by other radiology groups.
Special instructions
for MR Arthrography:
- If you are taking
Coumadin (a blood thinning medication), arrange with your
doctor to stop taking the medication 5 days before your MR
Arthrography appointment. If you are taking Plavix, this
medication does not need to be stopped.
- Ask your physician to arrange an INR (International
Normalized Ratio) blood test before your appointment. If the
result is above 1.5, you will need to reschedule. Please bring
your blood test results with you.
- We recommend patients have a driver available for all
your Arthrography appointments.
What
should you bring to your procedure?
- Prescription or referral
from your physician
- Photo ID
- List of medications you take
- Insurance cards
- Any previous, relevant imaging exams and reports,
including MRI, CT, PET/CT, taken outside our network
- Medical history
- Pathology reports
What
will you experience during your MRI?
Upon Arrival
- Because the MRI uses a
powerful magnet, we will ask you to complete a safety
questionnaire to learn if you have implants or other sources
of metal in your body.
- We will ask you to remove any metal including jewelry, eye
glasses, hearing aids, dental work, hair clips and hair pieces
before your scan.
- Our MR technologists or the radiologist will ask you some
medical questions and review what you can expect during the
MRI.
During your scan
- We will make you as
comfortable as possible on the exam table before the scan
begins. Because the scanner can be noisy, we will provide you
with ear protection.
- The table will slide into the MRI unit where the scan will
be conducted. Please lie as still as possible to avoid
blurring the images.
- You will be able to communicate with the MR technologist
at all times during your exam. The technologist will
constantly supervise you and will check in with you
periodically during your scan.
- Most MRI exams last less than one hour.
After your MRI
- You may leave immediately
after your MRI is completed and continue with your daily
routine, even if you received an injection.
- The radiologist will review your scans and send the
results to your physician. Urgent findings will be called or
faxed in to your doctor.
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