How Does MRI Help Me and My Medical Team? Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a popular imaging technique that can be used as a primary diagnostic tool to provide a quick and accurate diagnosis for your physician. In some situations, this procedure can reduce the need for further diagnostic procedures or invasive procedures, such as exploratory surgery, that may have associated complications.
How Does MRI Operate? MRI Images are formed when signals emitted by body tissue are processed by software and turned into clinical images. These signals are generated using a safe magnetic field in combination with radio waves of a specific frequency. Different tissue characteristics are translated into different contrast levels of the image. A typical procedure averages 30 minutes or longer, depending on the type of information required by your physician.
What Do I Have To Do To Prepare For The MRI? No special preparation is required prior to the MRI exam. You may eat normally and go about your daily routine. Continue to take any medication prescribed by your doctor unless otherwise directed. Prior to entering the scan room for your exam, you will be asked to leave those items that are not compatible with a magnetic field in a safe place outside the scan room. Some of these items are listed below:
Coins
Hearing Aids
Jewelry
Keys
Watches
Hair Pins
Glasses
Other Metal Objects
Credit Cards
Check with your physician or MRI technologist if you have had any brain, ear, or eye surgeries or have any of the following:
Pacemaker
Neurostimulator (TENS unit)
Metal Implants
Intrauterine Device (IUD), etc.
Aneurysm Clips
Surgical Staples
Implanted Drug Infusion device
Foreign Metal Objects in the Eye
Shrapnel or Bullet Wounds
Permanent Eyeliner
*If you are pregnant, please notify your physician.
What Else Do I Need To Know? During your MRI examination, a technologist will be with you and will be able to see you at all time. For your convenience, an intercom system is built into the MR imager so that if you need anything, the technologist will be right there. In certain instances, a contrast agent may be administered to enhance the study. There are no extra precautions if your physician requires this type of study. Consult the physician or technologist if you have any questions.
