MRI FAQ's   
CT FAQ's   
Ultrasound FAQ's
DEXA FAQ's
X-Ray FAQ's
ACR Accredidation FAQ's

MRI

If any of the following contraindications are present, the patient is not a candidate for an MRI:  Pacemaker, Brain Aneurysm Clip, Implanted Mechanical Device/Electrical Conductor.


What is MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses strong magnet and radio waves to provide clear and detailed diagnostic images of internal body organs and tissues. MRI is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of a broad range of conditions, including:
What are some common uses of MRI?
Imaging of the Musculoskeletal System : MRI is often used to study the knee, ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. MRI is also a highly accurate method for evaluation of soft tissue structures such as tendons and ligaments, which are seen in great detail. Even subtle injuries are easily detected. In addition, MRI is used for the diagnosis of spinal problems including disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and spinal tumors.

Imaging for Cancer & Functional Disorders: Organs of the chest and abdomen such as the liver, lungs, kidney, and other abdominal organs can be examined in great detail with MRI. This aids in the diagnosis and evaluation of tumors and functional disorders.  Furthermore because there is no radiation exposure is involved, MRI is often used for examination of the male and female reproductive systems.

How should I prepare for an MRI?
Before your MRI exam, remove all accessories including hair pins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids, wigs, dentures. During the exam, these metal objects may interfere with the magnetic field, affecting the quality of the MRI images taken.
Notify your technologist if you have:
any prosthetic joints – hip, knee
a heart pacemaker (or artificial heart valve), defibrillator or artificial heart value
an intrauterine device (IUD),
any metal plates, pins, screws, or surgical staples in your body.
tattoos and permanent make-up.
a bullet or shrapnel in your body, or ever worked with metal.
if you might be pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant.
if you are claustrophobic. Some patients who undergo MRI in an enclosed unit may feel confined. If you are not easily reassured, a sedative may be administered.

Can I have an MRI if I have metal in or on my body?
There are a few instances when MRI cannot be attempted on patients with metal in their bodies. Patients with pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices cannot be examined. Your technologist will carefully assess your situation and prepare you for your procedure. You can help by not wearing clothing containing metal.

What should I expect during this procedure?
Depending on how many images are needed, the exam generally takes 15 to 45 minutes. However, very detailed studies may take longer.

You must lie down on a sliding table and be comfortably positioned.
Even though the technologist must leave the room, you will be able to communicate with them at any time using an intercom.
If necessary, many MRI centers allow a friend or family member to stay in the room with you during the exam.
You will be asked remain still during the actual imaging process. However, between sequences, which last between 2-15 minutes, slight movement is allowed.
Depending on the part of the body being examined, a contrast material may be used to enhance the visibility of certain tissues or blood vessels. A small needle is placed in your arm or hand vein and a saline solution IV drip will run through the intravenous line to prevent clotting. About two-thirds of the way through the exam, the contrast material is injected.

What will I experience during an MRI?
MRI is painless.
Some claustrophobic patients may experience a "closed in" feeling. If this is a concern, a sedative may be administered. Also, newer open MRI machines have helped to alleviate this reaction.
You will hear loud tapping or thumping during the exam. Earplugs or earphones may be provided to you by the MRI center.
You may feel warmth in the area being examined. This is normal.
If a contrast injection is needed, there may be some discomfort at the injection site. You may also feel a cool sensation at the site during the injection.

Is there any dye used?
For some tests, Gadolinium is injected to help answer questions about specific conditions. Usually the need for Gadolinium is determined at the time of the examination by the radiologist. This use of contrast media can help to identify scar tissue from previous spine surgery.

Gadolinium has been used for many years and has proved to be very safe with few incidences of side effects. As with any medication or food, it is possible to experience an allergic reaction; however very few serious reactions have been reported. This contrast media is NOT related to the xray dye you may have heard about, and has no relationship to shellfish allergies.



Computed Tomography (CT)

What is Computed Tomography?
Computed Tomography scans (also known as CT or CAT scans) use special X-ray equipment to obtain information from different angles around the body. Computers are then used to process the information and create cross-sectional images that appear as "slices" of the body and organs.

What Should I Expect?
During the exam you will lie on a table that will move you into the doughnut-shaped scanner. Your technologist will watch you through an observation window and will be able to communicate with you at all times. You may hear humming, buzzing, or clicking sounds as the CT machine moves to reposition you for additional images. CT scans are painless, but some exams require injection of a contrast agent through an IV that will be started before the exam in either your arm or hand area by a technologist. If you are having an abdomen and/or pelvic exam you may be required to drink contrast fluid 30 mins-1 hour prior to exam time. Remaining still is very important in order to obtain clear images.

How Should I Prepare?
Before some exams, you may be asked to avoid normal eating or drinking for a period of time.
CT of the Abdomen or Pelvis with Contrast
1. No food or drink 4 hours prior to the exam
2. Patient should arrive 1 hour before the procedure is to start. Oral contrast will be given at that time.
3. Intravenous contrast will be administered during the procedure.
CT of all other areas
Do not eat or drink one hour before exam.
You should continue medications prescribed by your doctor unless informed otherwise. Diabetic patients may need to delay their medication until after they have eaten in order to avoid an insulin reaction. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown and may have to remove items such as glasses, jewelry, dentures, hearing aids, etc. Women should always inform their technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

What if I Need a Contrast Injection?
CT contrast is an organically bound iodine material that is used to make some abnormalities easier to see and will be delivered through a small IV started in you arm or hand by the technologist. Open MRI uses only non-ionic contrast (the safest kind), but with all contrast agents there is some potential for allergic reaction. Be sure to tell your technologist if you've had a reaction to contrast in the past or if you are particularly sensitive to medications. If you take Glucophage, Glucovance, or any other type of metformin medication to regulate your diabetes, you will need to stop taking it for 48 hours after your exam.

How Do I Get the Results?
After your study is over, the images will be evaluated by one of our board-certified radiologists with expertise in CT imaging. A final report will be sent to your doctor, who can then discuss the results with you in detail. Should you have any questions regarding your CT scan, we will be happy to discuss them with you.


Ultrasound

What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within the body.

What Should I Expect?
You will be positioned on an exam table and a clear gel will be applied to your skin. The gel is used to eliminate air bubbles between the transducer and your body, since the sound waves travel very poorly through air. The transducer is pressed against the skin and moved back and forth to visualize the area of interest.

Ultrasound does not use radiation and is thus a very safe imaging technique. It is also painless, though you may experience some discomfort from the pressure applied to the transducer, especially if you are required to have a full bladder for your exam. The examination usually takes from 15 to 30 minutes, after which you will be able to return to your normal activities.

How Should I Prepare?
For many exams no preparation is needed. However, if your abdomen or pelvis is being evaluated, you may be instructed not to eat or drink for 12 hours before your test. You may also be asked to drink several glasses of water 2 hours before your test and to avoid urinating, so that your bladder is full during the exam. You should wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing, and you may be asked to change into a hospital gown.

How Do I Get the Results?
After your study is over, the images will be evaluated by one of our board-certified radiologists with expertise in ultrasound imaging. A final report will be sent to your doctor, who can then discuss the results with you in detail.




DEXA

What is DEXA?
Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) examinations estimate the amount of bone mineral content in specific areas of your body. DEXA exams measure the amount of x-rays that are absorbed by the bones in your body. Two x-ray energies allow the radiologist to tell the difference between bone and soft tissue, giving a very accurate estimation of bone density. Often confused with a nuclear medicine bone scan, a bone density scan is faster and does not require a radionuclide injection.

What Should I Expect?
You will be asked to lie very still on the scan table and you will be able to breathe normally throughout the procedure. A scanner arm will pass over the area of interest, for example, your lower spine or hip. A dual energy beam of x-ray passes through your body and is measured by a detector in the scanner arm. An exam usually consists of a spine and a single scan of the hip. On average, it will take about twenty minutes for the entire exam.

How should I prepare for this procedure?
Unless instructed otherwise, eat normally on the day of the exam, but avoid calcium supplements for two hours prior to your appointment. Avoid wearing clothing with metal. Sweat suits or other casual attire without zippers are usually acceptable.

How Do I Get the Results?
After your study is over, the test will be evaluated by one of our board-certified radiologists, with expertise in bone density testing. A final report will be sent to your doctor who can then discuss the results with you in detail. 




X-Ray

What are X-Rays?
X-ray imaging (radiography) is still the most commonly used technique in radiology. To make a radiograph, a part of the body is exposed to a very small quantity of X-rays. The X-rays pass through the tissues, striking a film to create an image. X-rays are safe when properly used by radiologists and technologists specially trained to minimize exposure. No radiation remains after the radiograph is obtained.

X-rays are used to image every part of the body and are used most commonly to look for fractures. They are also commonly used to examine the chest, abdomen, and superficial soft tissues. X-rays can identify many different conditions within the body, and they are often a fast and easy method for your doctor to make a diagnosis.

What Should I Expect?
X-rays are fast, easy, and painless. The part of your body to be examined will be properly positioned, and several different views of that part may be obtained. The technologist will instruct you to hold still and in some cases hold your breath while the X-ray is being taken to eliminate blurring. X-ray exams generally take around 20 minutes, after which you will be able to return to normal activities.

How Should I Prepare?
Preparation is not required for an x-ray. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown to eliminate the chance of artifacts from your clothing. You will also be asked to remove any jewelry, eyeglasses, or any other metal objects. Women should always inform their technologist if there is any possibility of pregnancy.

How Do I Get the Results?
After your study is over, the images will be evaluated by one of our board-certified radiologists. A final report will be sent to your doctor, who can then discuss the results with you in detail.


  

ACR Accreditation

What should I know about radiation safety?
Before your imaging procedure be sure to ask your physician the following questions: Why should I have my imaging exam done at an accredited facility?
When you see the gold seals of accreditation prominently displayed in our imaging facility, you can be sure that you are in a facility that meets standards for imaging quality and safety. Look for the ACR Gold Seals of Accreditation.

To achieve the ACR Gold Standard of Accreditation, our facility's personnel qualifications, equipment requirements, quality assurance, and quality control procedures have gone through a rigorous review process and have met specific qualifications. It's important for patients to know that every aspect of the ACR accreditation process is overseen by board-certified, expert radiologists and medical physicists in advanced diagnostic imaging.

What does ACR accreditation mean? What does the gold seal mean?
When you see the ACR gold seal, you can rest assured that your prescribed imaging test will be done at a facility that has met the highest level of imaging quality and radiation safety. The facility and its personnel have gone through a comprehensive review to earn accreditation status by the ACR, the largest and oldest imaging accrediting body in the U.S. and a professional organization of 34,000 physicians.