Download conventional and open mri exams

conventional
and open
MRI exams
Patient Guide
What to Expect During Your MRI Exam
M
agnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one
of the most accurate ways to examine the
soft tissue areas of the body. This test has
been ordered for you by your doctor to obtain valuable
information for early diagnosis and treatment planning.
It is a safe, painless and comfortable procedure that
uses no ionizing radiation (X-rays). Instead, MRI
combines computer technology with magnetism and
radio waves to create multiple pictures of the inside
of the body. After these images are processed, they
are interpreted by a board certified MRI radiologist to
detect disease or injury.
Health and Safety Effects
T
here are no known negative health effects of an
MRI exam. MRI is non-invasive (no tubes or
scopes are used) and involves no harmful radiation. For
certain tests, an injection of a contrast agent may be
necessary to better visualize specific anatomical structures.
If this is the case, a simple injection will be given.
Preparation
A
s a rule, no special preparation is necessary, but
just in case, please check with our scheduling staff
before your appointment. Also, inform our scheduling
staff if you may be pregnant or if you are claustrophobic.
On the day of your exam you may eat and drink normally,
engage in your regular activities, and take your usual
prescribed medications, unless you have been instructed
otherwise by our scheduling staff or your physician.
Our scheduling staff will
inform you how many
minutes prior to your
scheduled appointment you
should arrive, to allow time
for a brief interview with a
technical staff member who
will ask about your medical history. This screening
process is an important safety precaution, so please be
patient if we ask the same questions more than once.
During the scheduling of your exam, our staff will
ask if you have any implanted devices inside your
body such as pacemakers, aneurysm clips and stents.
Please have as much information about these devices
available as possible.
During Your Exam
B
efore entering the exam room, you will be asked
to remove metal objects, such as eyeglasses,
dentures, body piercings, rings, or hairpins. Dental
fillings, hip replacements, knee replacements and
contact lenses are acceptable.
Since some clothing contains hidden metallic
components (in thread or fastenings for example), we
require that patients change into examination clothing
that we know has no such metallic material. The
magnet can damage the coding on your credit cards
and security identification cards, so please leave your
purse or wallet in your personal locker.
A member of our technical staff will help position you
on a padded table that will slide into a scanner, which is
open at both ends. A special apparatus may be placed
on or around the part of your body being scanned to
better focus the images. Since a patient’s movement
blurs the images (much like photography), you will be
asked to lie still during the actual scanning process.
You will notice knocking or humming noises when the
scan is underway. This is the sound of the magnetic
field being adjusted to generate information about the
area being examined.
The exam lasts about 30-60 minutes, depending on the
number and type of images your physician requested.
For your Comfort
A
lmost 99 percent of patients referred for MRI are able to complete their exams. Even if you
are uncomfortable in small spaces, our experienced
technologists can suggest many techniques to help you
relax. Don’t hesitate to inform them if you feel anxious.
Throughout the examination, even when the
technologist is not in the MRI room, he or she will
be able to see and hear you and talk with you via a
two-way intercom. If you need something or have a
question or concern, touch the call button and the
technologist will respond immediately.
We are happy to play the radio or one of your own CDs
while you are having the MRI exam. We have headsets
and stereo equipment for this purpose. Earplugs are
used to help minimize your awareness of the knocking
sounds. Some people fall asleep during their scans.
You are welcome to have a family member or friend
accompany you during the exam. He or she must pass
the MRI screening questions.
Getting the Results
Y
our physician will
receive your results
from our board certified MRI
radiologist. Please contact your doctor to review these
results. The technologist will not be able to tell you
the results of your test.
People Who Should Not Have an MRI or
Enter an MRI Exam Room
T
he strong magnetic field can adversely affect
some conditions or implanted prosthetic devices.
We will screen for these several times during the
intake process. Please be patient if several people ask
you the same questions. This screening procedure is
for your safety.
Please notify us if you have:
• Pacemaker
• Surgical aneurysm clip of the brain
• Cochlear (middle ear) implant
• Neurostimulators
• Metal fragments (including bullets and
shrapnel)
• Implanted insulin pump
• Metal particles or chips in your eye
• Retinal tacks
• Any other magnetically activated biomedical
device, such as a defibrillator, eye implant or
ventricular peritoneal shunt
Should I Have a Conventional High Field
or Open MRI?
T
he conventional high field magnet is able
to produce the highest quality and most
detailed images in less time. The open system MRI
is designed for people who might not otherwise be
able to have an MRI exam at all, such as people who
suffer from claustrophobia or very large patients. The
appropriateness of the magnet is based on the type
of scan the patient requires and other considerations.
While both types of magnets have useful applications,
the conventional magnet is favored for most patients.
If you are severely claustrophobic, your physician
may prescribe a sedative to help you relax during your
exam. If you choose to take medication, however, you
must be accompanied by an adult who can take you to
and from your appointment.
After Your Exam
S
ince there are no aftereffects with MRI, you
may resume your normal activities immediately.
Remember, however, that if you have taken any
medication for anxiety, you will need a ride home.
Herrick
Street
22
Beverly
Hospital
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at et
He Stre
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Co reet
St
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Str sex
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t
Sohier Road
1A
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ba
im
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128
Map to Beverly Hospital
128
Exit 50
Maple
Street
Beverly Hospital
at Danvers
Elliott
Street
Exit 22
Exit 49
128
Map to Beverly Hospital at danvers
114
Sylvan
Street
Endicott
Street
Maple Street
Beverly Hospital
at Prospect Street
Low
ell S
tree
t
Map to Beverly hospital at
Prospect Street, peabody
Cross
Street
128
Insurance Coverage
Major health insurance
companies cover MRI exams.
Check with your insurance
carrier to ensure eligibility
for reimbursement.
appointment scheduling
For more information or to schedule an MRI exam,
please call 866-674-0466. You can also visit us on the
web at beverlyhospital.org.
Questions?
If you have questions regarding your MRI exam,
please call 978-535-0633 (TTY: 978-826-6310) to speak
to a MRI Technologist.
Beverly Hospital
1.5 Tesla MRI
85 Herrick Street
Beverly Hospital at Danvers
3.0 Tesla MRI
480 Maple Street
Danvers, MA 01923
Beverly Hospital at Prospect Street
Open MRI
68 Prospect Street
Peabody, MA 01960
beverlyhospital.org
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Beverly, MA 01915