Before your MRI Scan
There is no special preparation required prior to an MRI scan, so you may continue about your daily activities with a regular diet. Continue to take any prescribed medication, unless you received specific direction from your doctor. It is recommended that you wear comfortable, athletic-type clothing without metal snaps or zippers to your appointment. Sweat suits are available upon your arrival.
Your doctor may order contrast (dye) to be administered for your test to enhance areas of interest.
Because of the magnetic field, you will be asked to leave some items outside the scan room in a secure locker. These items include coins, credit cards, jewelry, glasses, watches, hair pins/wigs, wallets, cell phones, and/or purses. You may also be asked to remove makeup, dentures and hearing aids.
You will be asked if you have had brain, ear, heart, other surgeries, or any of the following: Pacemaker, Neurostimulators, Aneurysm Clips, Infusion Device, Metal fragments in your eye, Shrapnel, Heart Valves, or any other surgical implants. Please check with us if you’re uncertain about any of the aforementioned items.
If you are pregnant, please notify your physician and/or the staff at OSTC.
During your MRI Scan
When it is time for your scan, a technologist will assist you onto the padded table. The table will move slowly into the magnet portion of the MRI machine. When the scan begins, you will hear sounds similar to a drumbeat as pictures of your body are formed.
At all times during the exam, a technologist will be able to see and hear you. Stereo headphones will be available for you to listen to your favorite radio channel, satellite station, or CD. Please feel free to bring your personal choice of music with you to the office.
The exam will take 15 to 25 minutes to complete depending on the type of information your doctor needs. It is important to lie completely still while the images are being acquired, as motion will affect the sharpness of the images.
For those who suffer with claustrophobia, our machine is an open, short-bore MRI scanner. This means only the body part being imaged must remain inside the magnet. We do our best to keep the scan as short as possible to minimize your time inside the machine.
After your MRI Scan
Because there are no side effects, you may leave immediately following the procedure. The radiologist will study the magnetic resonance images and report the results to your physician. Our goal is to have this information to your doctor by the next business day. Your doctor will schedule a time with you to discuss the results of your MRI exam.
