Imaging and Radiology

We provide the following imaging procedures for patients across hospital departments:

• 2D and 3D ultrasound
• Breast imaging
• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Computerized/digital radiography
• Diagnostic radiology
• Fluoroscopy procedures/barium studies
• Low-dose screening CT for lung cancer
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Mammography (breast imaging and procedures), including 3D mammographic tomosynthesis with computer-assisted diagnosis
• Multidetector CT with state-of-the-art radiation reduction protocols
• Nuclear medicine
• PET–CT scanning
• X-ray

This information is intended to help patients to prepare for an MRI scan.

When to Arrive

Patients should arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment. This allows time to complete any necessary paperwork, answer any medical history questions, change clothes before the scan (if necessary), and ask any questions of the MRI technologist.

Patients should bring their insurance cards and any insurance forms.

Clothing

Some patients may need to change into a hospital gown for the exam. Generally, patients should dress in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing, such as a sweatshirt and pants without metal snaps or zippers.

All valuables should be left at home. Jewelry, glasses, hearing aides, dentures, hairpins, credit cards, coins, keys, and other metal objects will need to be removed and placed in a secure clothing locker outside the scan room.

Patients are also advised not to wear cosmetics to their scan, as many brands contain metal.

Food and Drink

Generally, there is no need to fast prior to MRI.

For MRCP and MR enterography studies, a four- to six-hour pre-MRI fast is required, but it is okay to take your medicines during that time period.

Medications

It is important for patients to continue taking all medications prescribed by their physician before their MRI exam.

Claustrophobia

Patients should expect to be awake during their MRI exam. The MRI machine is shaped like a tunnel and depending on the kind of exam you are having you may not be able to see the room around it. On occasion, this may make patients feel claustrophobic.

The MRI team will work with patients who suffer from claustrophobia. Patients can come before their appointment and tour the facility to become better acquainted with the scanning process. Satellite radio is provided in the MRI suite to help patients relax during their scan. A friend or family member (who has been screened for internal or external metal) may also accompany the patient into the exam room during the test.

Many patients request a mild sedative prescription from their physician prior to their appointment. If you do so, please be sure to arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home.

Kidney Function

Many MRI scans require the injection of intravenous contrast solution (dye). Many patients, including all patients over age 60 and certain patients with other medical conditions that can predispose to kidney disease, will need to get current kidney function labwork done within 30 days of imaging.

If lab results are not available, patients may need to have blood drawn in the radiology department prior to imaging.

Pediatric Patients

The Radiology Department has specialty radiologists and a conscious sedation program to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients. Parents can accompany their children into the scan room and remain with the child during the MRI exam.

Scanning

A technologist will bring you into the MRI scan room and help you get comfortable on the padded examination table. The table will then move slowly into the opening of a large cylinder shaped tube that houses the MRI magnet.

You will hear different sets of knocking noises while the machine takes pictures. Headphones or earplugs are provided and significantly reduce the amount of noise you will hear during the scan.

It is important to lie completely still while the images are being taken, because motion will affect the sharpness of the image.

The technologist will talk with you throughout your scan and keep you informed about what you can expect. The technologist will be able to hear you throughout the exam, from the adjacent control room, in case you need to communicate with him/her.

Intravenous Contrast

Depending on the type of exam, you may receive a contrast agent intravenously (IV) through a vein in your arm or hand. Contrast agents are used to highlight organs and blood vessels to help produce a better image for the radiologist.

If your physician or radiologist has determined that contrast medium is necessary, you may receive an IV in your arm or hand prior to the test so the technologist can administer the contrast agent at the time of your scan.

The safety profile of these gadolinium-based agents is excellent. Even patients with allergies to iodinated contrast material (IVP dye, CT scan contrast) can generally receive IV gadolinium without difficulty. If you have a history of allergic reaction to gadolinium (hives, rash, or anaphylaxis), it may be necessary for you to have an allergy prevention protocol prior to gadolinium injection. Please let your referring physician know as this protocol needs to be started the day prior to injection. Although rare, reactions to gadolinium can occur, and you should let your technologist know if you do not feel well after the contrast medium is injected.

Patients who require a contrast agent will typically be given the IV injection partway through the scan.

Length of Scan

MRI scans are individualized and tailored to each patient’s needs. Total scan times range from 20 to more than 60 minutes.

After the technologist completes the MRI scan, they will review all of the images to make sure they are adequate in quality and complete in scope.