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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
What is an MRI exam?
MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images or "slices" of
the human body. MRI offers several benefits over other cross-sectional imaging methods: (a) it
can acquire direct views of the body in any orientation, (b) it does not use x-ray radiation,
(c) it provides images with excellent contrast detail of soft tissues and anatomic structures,
and (d) it can create detailed images of blood vessels, often without the use of injected
contrast media.
Precautions and Contraindications to MRI Examination
You will be contacted by telephone prior to your examination to go over a screening
questionnaire (if we cannot contact you, this can be filled out on arrival - try to arrive
ten minutes earlier than scheduled). The questionnaire includes the following:
Claustrophobia - Unfortunately, despite the fact that MRI is a very safe procedure,
some people will experience claustrophobia during an MRI examination. If you have had a prior
claustrophobic MRI experience or if you have reason to believe you are strongly claustrophobic,
please let us know - in most cases we can schedule you for an examination on one of our "open"
MRI machines, which greatly reduce the incidence of claustrophobia.
Allergies - Tell your doctor, our office staff or the technologist if you are allergic
to any medicine(s) or have had a prior reaction to MR injected contrast material.
Pacemakers and other implanted electronic devices - Tell your doctor, our office staff or
the technologist if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device: in most cases,
you will be unable to safely undergo an MRI examination.
Implanted metal devices - Tell your doctor, our office staff or the technologist if you
have any metal plates, pins, screws surgical staples or aneurysm clips in your body. Most of
these are safe for MRI but we need to know about them in advance to make a determination of
how they may affect your exam.
Preparing for MRI Examinations
MRI examinations generally do not require special preparation. Some procedures will
require injection of contrast media. This will be determined by the radiologist planning
your examination.
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