First, you sign paperwork that will allow us to send results to the referring physician and to send a claim to your insurance company. The staff will offer you a locker to place your belongings securely during your exam. You may keep the key with you at all times. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown or robe.
Next you will be greeted by the technologists who will perform your exam. Your technologist will explain what you can expect during the exam, will make sure you are comfortable, and will be with you at all times throughout the exam.
Most of our exams take somewhere between 15 and 45 minutes. One of the luxuries of a high field strength MRI system is that much shorter exam times are required compared to those performed on low field, so called, open MRI systems. All three of our systems are high field magnets.
While there is no evidence of hazard, MRI imaging is not generally advised during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. However, pregnant patients are frequently scanned when clinical circumstances warrant it.
In many instances yes. It depends on what they are and where they are in the body.
We are very successful in making people comfortable, even with claustrophobia. In our open flare short bore magnets one's body is mostly outside the magnet. All magnets have lighted bores, fans, and mirrors or prism glasses that allow you to see outside the bore. One of the technologists will talk with you throughout the exam. You may also have a friend or family member stay with you during the exam.
Yes, unless you have taken a sedative or any other medication that would compromise your driving ability.
Your physician will receive the results of your exam within a few days.
Yes, we will print a set of duplicate films for you to take to your referring physician if he or she requests them or if you need them for an out of town appointment. Films may be borrowed and returned to the MRI center.
Sometimes a contrast material, specific to MR imaging, is used to provide additional information. The decision to use contrast material will be decided by your health care provider, depending upon the diagnostic goal of the imaging.