MRI

If you have additional questions or if you don’t completely understand your MRI exam, please contact your physician or the staff of the MR clinic.

Making you comfortable with your open magnetic resonance exam.

Your doctor has requested that you have a magnetic resonance (MR) exam on the GE Signa Profile Open MRI System. Here’s some information that we hope will answer any questions and clear up any anxieties that you may have about your upcoming MRI exam.

What is magnetic resonance imaging?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets, radio waves and computers to create extremely detailed pictures or “images” of your internal organs and structures.
Because MRI lets your doctor see inside your body from any angle with great clarity, it provides a wealth of diagnostic information more quickly and easily than previous tests and exploratory surgeries.

What can I expect during my MRI exam?

Your MRI technologist will fist position you on the padded table. Try to remain as still as possible during the exam to ensure the clearest images. The table will then move smoothly into the magnet opening, and your exam will begin.

The MRI exam itself is painless -in fact, you won’t feel anything. You may notice a slight knocking sound as each image is taken, so let your technologist know if you ae particularly sensitive to sound.

Should you become uncomfortable, need help, or have questions at any point during your exam, just say so. The MRI staff is right there to assist you.

The length of your exam depends on the type of study your doctor has ordered. Many MR exams are completed in under an hour.

After your exam, your technologist will take you back to the preparation room to collect your things. And that’s all there is to it.

MRI SAFETY

MRI uses a very strong magnetic field that can be very hazardous to patients with certain metallic implants. To ensure your safety, if you have a pacemaker, stents, metal/electronic implants, aneurysm clips, etc., we will need to know as quickly as possible to obtain clearance and prevent any harm to you.

Please call (305) 665-4674 between the hours of 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday-Friday.

Claustrophobia
If you have experienced anxiety in the past from being in closed places, please contact us or your ordering Physician for anti-anxiety medication that you may need for your MRI exam.

What to wear
For all MRI scans, you will be required to change into a hospital gown. Our changing areas are private, and there is a secure locker for your clothes. It is best, however, if you leave valuable items at home. If you are wearing anything metallic, such as jewelry, dentures, eyeglasses, or hearing aids that might interfere with the MRI scan, we will ask you to remove them. You should not have your credit cards in your pockets during the scan because the MRI magnet can affect the magnetic strip on the card.

Patients who are having a brain/head scan should not wear make-up as some brands contain metal.

Diet Restrictions for all contrast studies and plain abdomen studies
You must be on a clear liquid diet 4 hours prior to your exam.

During your MRI exam
The Technologist will introduce themselves and review any additional information that is needed. You may be asked to sign a Consent form for any history of contrast allergy or pregnancy. Some MRI exams require intravenous contrast that will need an IV to be placed prior to your exam. The Technologist will take you into the MRI room, lay you on a table, and get you comfortable. We will give you hearing protection (music can be provided at your request via internet/Pandora during your scan) and a communication device. You will then be moved into the MRI machine, which is open at both ends. There will be various noises that you will hear throughout the exam. The noises can be loud at times as well as vibrate the table.

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment for registration.
Most MRI exams will take about 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on what your physician has requested.

For assistance scheduling your future appointments and testing, please call (305) 665-4674. You can also request appointments via email: info@smomri.com