Prior to your Visit
How should you prepare for your exam? First, you should wear comfortable clothing. Since an MRI is a giant magnet, you will be asked to remove anything made of or containing metal. Please refrain from wearing jewelry, these will need to be removed prior to the examination. You will be asked to fill out screening paperwork if you did not complete it online prior to the visit. If you have any implants such as pacemakers or other medical devices, please bring with you any documentation about your device to your visit. If you want to see if the cost of the study can be applied to your insurance deductible or reimbursed, you will need to contact your insurance company prior to your visit.
During your Visit
After changing into optional scrubs, our technologist will accompany you to the MRI scanner and will be with you throughout your examination. Even though you may not see them, they see and hear you through the entire exam. You can communicate with the technologist at any point. Most of our machines are 1.5 T which are the gold standard for MRI imaging and will provide excellent image quality, no different to most hospital scanners. You will be given ear plugs or headphones to listen to music during your exam to protect your hearing. You will be asked to lie still during the examination to achieve the best images.
Please let us know if you suffer from claustrophobia. We do not provide sedation or medication, but you are welcome to work with your provider to get a prescription for anxiety medication. If you opt for this, please bring a driver to accompany you home after the exam.
After your Visit
The radiology report will be interpreted by a board certified radiologist. The imaging and report will be emailed to you within 2 business days, as well as shared with the physicians of your choice. The report contains medical jargon and may be difficult to understand, though the impression at the end will provide a summarized diagnosis. This report should be shared with a medical doctor to discuss the findings and what the best treatment options are for your diagnosis. Additional consultation options are available to talk with the radiologist over the phone or in person directly after your exam. If further questions remain, they should be discussed with your medical doctor to make a plan of care.