FAQs

What is an MRI?

MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a technology that has the ability to obtain very detailed images of your organs and tissues throughout your body that doesn’t require the use of radiation or traditional diagnostic testing methods like X-Rays. MRI uses a powerful magnetic field combined with radio waves and a specialized computer to create images that detect the presence of injury, disease, or any kind of abnormality present.

How Does MRI Work?

During an MRI, the patient is placed on the MR scanner, which is a large cylinder-shaped device that is open at both ends. There’s a powerful magnetic field that aligns with atomic particles called protons, that are naturally present in most of your body’s tissues. When the radio waves are applied, it causes the particles to produce signals that are then picked up by a special receiver within the MR scanner. The signals received are very specifically characterized using the rapidly changing magnetic field. With the help of computer processing, sharp images of your tissues are created that can be viewed as “slices” in a variety of orientations.

Although MRIs are a complicated procedure that uses cutting edge technology, you can rest assured that there is no pain involved and the magnetic field produce no damage to your tissue. The scanner sometimes makes loud tapping noises during the procedure. You can protect your ears by wearing earplugs or headphones that protect your ears should the noise bother you. During your exam, you’ll be able to communicate with our MRI tech at any time during the procedure.

What Are Some Common Uses Of MRI?

MRI has become the number one preferred procedure for diagnosing a wide range of potential problems or abnormalities in a variety of different parts of the body. At the core, MRI creates pictures that have the ability to show the differences between healthy and unhealthy tissues. Here are some of the most common uses of MRIs:

• Diagnosing issues in the brain, spine, joints, knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, and ankle
• Internal organs, including; heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, bowel, biliary tract, pancreas, and adrenal glands
• Reproductive organs, both male and female
• Blood vessels
• Breasts

Some of the most common conditions that MRIs are ordered for include:

• Tumors in the chest, pelvis or abdomen
• Heart problems
• Blockages, enlargements of blood vessels, including the aorta, renal arteries, and arteries in your legs
• Liver diseases
• Diseases of the small intestine, colon, anus, and rectum
• Cysts or tumors in the kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract
• Tumors or abnormalities of parts of the reproductive system
• Pelvic pain in women including endometriosis and fibroids
• Breast cancer
• Fetal analysis in pregnant women
• Uterine abnormalities in women trying to conceive

What Type of MRI Scans Do You Provide?

We perform MRIs on all major body parts, including the brain, spine, abdominal/pelvic, and joints/extremities. Additionally, we do vascular studies of the neck, head, abdomen, and pelvis. Here’s a description of each time of scan:

Brain MRI

MRI’s of the brain produce very detailed pictures of the brain. It’s commonly used to study people experiencing issues like headaches, seizures, hearing loss, blurry vision, weakness, and more. This test can be used to further evaluate an abnormality found on a CT scan. During a brain scan, a special device is placed around your head called a head coil to produce the clearest pictures of your brain. The head coil will not touch you and you will be able to see through the large gaps in the coil.

Spine MRI

Spine MRIs are commonly used to look for the presence of a herniated disk or narrowing of the spinal canal. These are often performed with people who have neck, back, arm or leg pain.

Bone and Joint MRI

This type of MRI can be used to check virtually all of the bones, joints, and soft tissues of your body. MRI can be used to locate and identify injured tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones, and muscles. Additionally, it can be used to look for infections and masses.

Abdomen MRI

This is often used to take a closer look at an abnormality identified on another test like an ultrasound or a CT scan. The exam usually looks at just the liver, pancreas, gallbladder or adrenal glands.

Pelvic MRI

This is commonly performed as a way to look at a women’s ovaries and uterus and is often used as a follow up to an abnormality found on an ultrasound. It can also be used to look at the bones and muscles of the pelvis.

Chest MRI

MRI of the chest can be used to identify large lung tumors and soft tissue injuries of the chest muscles. These exams can be used to identify a breast implant rupture or for an implant evaluation.

MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography)

This test depicts your blood vessels. The most frequently studiedblood vessels are the ones in the neck and brain. MRA can look for areas of constriction or dilation. It’s also used to examine the arteries that supply blood to your kidneys.

 

How Should I Prepare For My MRI Exam?

Regardless of the reason why your doctor is ordering you an MRI, you should receive a referral for the service as well as a list of options for places to have your MRI done. Any questions that you have prior to your scheduled exam day should be addressed by the MRI provider.

On the day of your scan, you should be able to eat, drink and take your normal medications, unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. In certain cases, you may be asked to not have anything to eat or drink for up to 4 hours before your scan. Other times, you’ll be asked to drink a large amount of water beforehand. Your requirements will be determined by what part of your body is being scanned and your doctor will advise you in advance of any special instructions.

On the day of your exam, you’ll receive a gown to wear during the procedure. Prior to entering the MRI room, you and anyone who accompanies you to the test will be asked a series of questions regarding the presence of implants. You will also be asked to remove any metal objects from your pockets and hair. If you have someone accompanying you during your exam, that person will be asked to fill out a screening form to ensure that he or she will be safely able to enter the MR exam room.

As the patient, you too will be asked to fill out a screening form that will address issues that could potentially create a health risk or interfere with the integrity of the imaging. It’s important that you answer the screening form honestly as failure to alert the technicians of a potential complication can impair your test results and even be dangerous to your health. Items that can potentially create a health hazard include:

• A cardiac pacemaker or implantable defibrillator
• A catheter that contains metal components
• A ferromagnetic clip for an intracranial aneurysm
• An implanted or external medication pump i.e. an insulin pump
• A cochlear implant
• A neurostimulation system

You will also be asked to remove the following items before you enter the MR room:

• Purses, wallets, money clips, credit cards, or any other cards that contain a magnetic strip
• Cell phones and other electronic devices
• Hearing aids
• Metal jewelry and watches
• Pens, paper, keys, coins, etc.
• Hair accessories that contain metal
• Any article of clothing that has metal i.e. zippers, snaps, hooks, wires, etc.
• Shoes
• Belts

Here’s a list of some other objects that may interfere with the image quality during your exam. Be sure to speak with your practitioner before your exam if any of these apply to you:

• Metallic spinal rods
• Plates, pins, screws, or metal mesh
• Joint replacement parts or prosthesis
• Piercings
• Some tattoos or tattooed makeup—the pigments, especially black and blue, can cause skin irritation and swelling
• Bullets, shrapnel, or any other type of metal fragment lodged in your body
• Teeth fillings

How is the Procedure Performed?

Certain MRI scans involve having an injection of what’s called contrast dye. This dye makes certain tissues and blood vessels show up more clearly. Sometimes, the contrast dye can cause patients to feel side effects such as:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Rash

These side effects are not common and general wear off quickly.

MRIs are a completely painless procedure, so anesthesia or pain killers are rarely required. However, if you’re claustrophobic, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a mild sedative to help you relax. If you do decide to have a sedative for the exam, you will be required to have a friend or family member present to drive you home.

Once the exam begins, you’ll lie on a motorized bed that’s moved inside the scanner. The MRI scanner is a short cylinder that’s open on each end. Depending on the body part being scanned, you’ll either enter the scanner head or feet first. In some situations, a frame may be placed over the body part that’s being scanned.

A high-tech computer is used to operate the MRI scanner. The computer and the radiographer are located in a separate room to keep it away from the magnetic field of the scanner. Although the technician will be in a separate room from you, you’ll be able to talk to them throughout the entire process and they’ll be able to monitor you the whole time.

It’s very important that you remain still throughout the entire scan to avoid the images from being blurred. A single scan can take anywhere from a few seconds to 3 or 4 minutes. In some situations, you may be asked to hold your breath during short scans. The whole scan can take anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the area(s) being scanned.

What Can I Expect During and After the Procedure?

During your exam, it’s normal for the area of your body that’s being scanned to feel a warm sensation. If this becomes bothersome, notify your radiologist immediately.

You will be asked to remain completely still for the scan, which usually only takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes, max. you’ll know when the images are being recorded by the thumping and tapping noises created as the coils that generate the radiofrequency pulses are activated. You will be given headphones or earplugs to wear to mute the noise and you may even be able to listen to music during the scan.

You’ll be allowed to relax between sequences, but you’ll be instructed to maintain your position as best as possible throughout the entire procedure. If you came with a friend or family member, they may be able to enter the room with you as long as they went through the prescreening process. Following your scan, you will be able to resume your normal activities and diet.

Is MRI Safe?

Yes, MRI is safe as long as it is being performed in a controlled area. MRI machines create a powerful magnetic field that attracts iron-containing objects, which can cause them to move suddenly and with great force. It’s vital that all iron-containing objects be removed from the room prior to the screen—this includes all watches, jewelry and clothing items that contain metal.

Additionally, the magnetic field can pull on iron-containing objects in your body, like medication pumps or aneurysm clips. This is why the pre-screening process is so important. When conducted thoroughly, the MRI technologist will be well aware of the risk factors and will take the necessary steps to ensure that proper safety precautions are utilized or that the test not be performed due to serious risk.

The same goes for any external devices you may have, including hearing aids, pacemakers, or electrical stimulators. Again, it’s vital that you inform your technologist prior to your exam to prevent injury and/or scan malfunction. You can still have an MRI scan with some metal implants or other objects, but they may cause the signal to get lost of the images to distort. If your radiologist knows about these items prior to the procedure, they will make allowances when interpreting the images.

Is MRI Safe During Pregnancy?

If you’re pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, you should inform your MRI tech prior to the exam. There are no known risk factors for using MRI while pregnant, however, MRI should only be used for pregnant patients that need to address very important or pressing problems or suspected abnormalities. MRI is safer for the fetus than alternative types of imaging such as X-Ray or CT scans.

There is some risk involved with the contrast material if you’re a breastfeeding mother. The contrast material is not safe for your baby to consume, so you need to wait around 24 hours before the material is safely cleared from your body.

What If I Feel Claustrophobic?

Our MRI machine is open, so if you’re considered about claustrophobia, it shouldn’t be an issue with our open MRI machine. If you do start to feel claustrophobic during your exam, you’ll be given a small squeeze tube to hold in your hand throughout the process, if you start to feel anxious, you can squeeze it and alert the technician to stop the exam. Listening to music can help ease tension.

How Are You Able to Price Your MRI’s So Low?

Great question! Here are a few simple reasons why we’re able to provide affordable care to our patients:

1. We don’t have the overhead associated with billing and collecting from insurance companies.
2. We are a small, independent company with simple systems and processes that are streamlined. And we focus on just one area of expertise: just MRI.
3. We’re on a mission to empower people to take charge of their healthcare and we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality health care without going into debt for it.