Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs)
What
is MRI?
When
is an MRI indicated?
Do
I need a prescription for an MRI?
How
do I prepare for an MRI?
Can
I eat before the exam?
What
is a contrast agent, and will I need it?
What
does the Open MRI Centers of New Jersey client services
staff need to know about me to perform the scan?
Why
is the MRI scanner in a special shielded room?
What
will happen when I get scanned?
Do
I have to lie still when I have an MRI?
I'm
very claustrophobic. What should I do?
How
long does an exam take?
When
will my physician get the results of my exam?
What
if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
Do
you accept Workers Compensation cases?
Do
you accept Automobile Injury claim cases?
If
I am unable to drive, how can I get to your center?
Your personal
physician or our medical staff will be happy to answer any
other questions you may have concerning your test. We look
forward to serving you.
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Q:
What is MRI?
Magnetic resonance scanning or imaging (MRI) is a method of
viewing the inside of your body without surgery or radiation.
The MRI scanner uses a powerful magnet, radio waves, and computer
technology to produce extremely detailed pictures of the human
anatomy. When you are referred by your physician for an MRI,
they are choosing the most advanced method of diagnostic imaging
available.
In every
MRI scanner, the client lies in a strong magnetic field. Although
the magnetic field is invisible and the patient cannot sense
it, the strength of the field can be seen by its effect on
a magnetic object. For example, if you hold a metal paper
clip in the field surrounding an MRI scanner, you can feel
the tug of the magnetic field, pulling the paper clip toward
the center of the magnet.
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Q:
When is an MRI indicated?
Whenever your physician requires top-quality anatomic images,
especially of soft tissue, chances are that an MRI will be
the test of choice.
- Neurologists
are one medical specialty that depends a great deal upon
MRI for accurate diagnostic information.
- Orthopedic
physicians and chiropractors regularly refer patients for
MRIs for a wide variety of conditions.
The MRI
applications mentioned above are just a few of the situations
for which MRI is the diagnostic test of choice. MRI technology
has already replaced a great number of X-ray-based procedures
and it is certain to replace even more in the future.
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Q:
Do I need a prescription for an MRI?
Yes. If you have reason to believe that an MRI would be beneficial
in diagnosing your physical condition more accurately, discuss
it with your doctor. Feel free to have your physician call
Open MRI Centers of New Jersey to talk about your case. If
your physician agrees that an MRI exam would be beneficial,
he or she can refer you to Open MRI Centers of New Jersey
for a scan.
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Q:
How do I prepare for an MRI?
Preparing for an MRI scan is very easy. You can take all your
normal medications unless your physician gives you special
instructions. We do ask you to take the following precautions
for your own personal safety and to ensure we get the best
possible images:
- Wear
comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You may be asked to
change into a guest robe, as clothes may have metallic fasteners
or metallic fibers that can interfere with the imaging.
- You
will need to remove eyeglasses, jewelry, hearing aids or
any removable dental work. You can remove any of the above
mentioned items and leave them in the secure changing suite
prior to the exam.
For your
convenience, we provide a secure changing suite to store your
barrettes, jewelry and credit cards. Credit cards cannot be
brought into the scanner room since the magnetic codes on
them can be affected by the magnet.
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Q:
Can I eat before the exam?
Usually there are no dietary restrictions before a MRI exam.
However, if your physician has requested the use of a contrast
agent for your MRI then it would be best not to eat two hours
prior to your exam to minimize the already unlikely event
of nausea.
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Q:
What is a contrast agent, and will I need it?
Certain types of scans require the use of an injected contrast
media. This contrast media, which is given intravenously before
the exam, highlights certain body parts. If your physician
orders this type of scan, our client services coordinator
will explain the contrast agent to you and answer your questions.
If contrast media is prescribed, please tell your physician:
- If
you are pregnant, think you might be; or are breast feeding
- If
you have anemia or any diseases that affect red blood cells
- If
you have asthma or other allergic respiratory disorders
- If
you have ever had an adverse reaction to contrast media.
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Q:
What does the Open MRI Centers of New Jersey client services
staff need to know about me to perform the scan?
Besides
complete information about your medical history, your physician
and the Open MRI Centers of New Jersey staff must know if
you have any metal in your body which cannot be removed, including:
- a pacemaker
- a metal
plate, pin or other metallic implant
- cochlear
implants/metallic ear implant
- an
artificial heart valve
- an
intrauterine device (IUD)
- aneurysm
clips in the brain
- implanted
spinal cord stimulator
- implanted
insulin pumps
- vascular
coils and filters
- surgical
staples and wires
- bone
or joint replacements
- metal
plates, rods, pins or screws
- contraceptive
diaphragms or coils
- penile
implants
- permanent
dentures
Also,
it is important to know if you have been exposed to metallic
fragments:
- through
a war wound
- as
a metal worker
- through
construction work or house painting/cleaning, etc.
In the
case of metal implants, it is often possible for clients to
be scanned without risk. It is very important, however, that
you reveal the presence of such items to the radiologist and
our MRI staff in order for them to evaluate whether or not
such a risk exists. Also, it is important to tell the client
services coordinator if you are pregnant or if you believe
there is a possibility you are pregnant.
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Q:
Why is the MRI scanner in a special shielded room?
The MRI scanner needs shielding from outside radio wave interference
that can decrease the image quality.
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Q:
What will happen when I get scanned?
Patients are often pleasantly surprised to discover that the
MRI examination is one of the easiest and most comfortable
medical exams they have experienced. Before the scan our trained
MRI technologist will simply ask you lie down on a cushioned
table, which will move into the magnet. After you have been
comfortably positioned for the scans, all you have to do is
relax and lie as still as you can. While the MRI test is being
conducted, your MRI technologist will carefully monitor the
operation of the exam from an adjacent room. You will be able
to speak to the technician through the intercom system at
all times during the exam. You will hear a knocking sound
from the MRI system that ranges from barely audible to quite
noticeable; this is normal. Open MRI Centers of New Jersey
offers the opportunity to listen to the music of your choice
(including your personal CD, tape or a favorite radio station)
to enhance your experience.
You can
have a companion stay in the scanning room with you throughout
the scan. In fact, whenever possible, parents are encouraged
to be in the room with their children during the scan.
Immediately
after the exam, you may return to work or home and resume
normal activities.
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Q:
Do I have to lie still when I have an MRI?
Yes. In order to achieve the best imaging results it is important
to minimize movement. You should remain relaxed and as still
as possible. Because a scanning session will often include
a series of individual scans, you will probably be given the
opportunity to find a more comfortable position between scans.
If you find that you are uncomfortable in any way, the attending
MRI technologist will help you find a position in which you
can rest comfortably.
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Q:
I'm very claustrophobic. What should I do?
Because our MRI is open— allowing patients to see the
examination room about them—the chances of you becoming
claustrophobic while being scanned are minimal. If you have
claustrophobic tendencies and you are concerned that this
may otherwise prevent you from remaining still, please ask
your physician to prescribe a sedative for you to take just
prior to your exam.
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Q:
How long does an exam take?
For most scans the time required is approximately 20 minutes,
although it may take longer depending upon the anatomy or
condition for which you are being scanned.
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Q:
When will my physician get the results of my exam?
Your MRI scan will be reviewed by an ACR certified radiologist
specially trained in MRI technology. The radiologist will
then send the report to your physician, who will discuss the
findings with you. In most cases the results will be available
by noon on the next business day after your exam.
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Q:
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
As we only serve one client at a time, an appointment means
that we reserved that specific time for you. If you need to
cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call us at least
24 hours in advance.
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Q:
Do you accept Workers Compensation cases?
Yes. With proper documentation and authorization we will process
an insurance claim with your Workers Compensation insurance
carrier.
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Q:
Do you accept Automobile Injury claim cases?
Yes. With proper documentation and authorization we will process
an insurance claim with your Automobile Insurance company
and or your attorney.
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Q:
If I am unable to drive, how can I get to your center?
For those in need we can provide free transportation to and
from Open MRI Centers of New Jersey upon request. Please indicate
your need when making your appointment.
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