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1.
What is an MRI?
2. What is an MRA?
3. What MRI/MRA services are provided by Hackensack
Radiology Group?
4. Is there radiation associated with an MRI?
5. Are there any contraindications to my having
an MRI?
6. What is the difference between an open and
closed MRI?
7. How long does an MRI exam take?
8. Do I need contrast/dye when I receive my
MRI?
9. Can I be allergic to the contrast/dye?
10. What will happen during my examination?
11. What if I am claustrophobic?
1. What is an MRI?
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging.
MRI, is a way of obtaining very detailed images of organs and
tissues throughout the body without the need for x-rays. Instead,
it uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, a rapidly changing
magnetic field, and a computer to demonstrate whether or not
there is an injury or some disease process present. The MRI
aligns atomic particles called protons that are present in most
of the body's tissues. Radio waves then cause these particles
to produce signals that are picked up by a receiver within the
scanner. The signals are specially characterized using the changing
magnetic field, and computer-processed to create very sharp
images of tissues as "slices" that can be viewed in
any plane or from any direction.
MRI is widely used for evaluating orthopedic, joint, and sports
medicine related injuries, as well as disc disease and other
conditions that affect the spine. Neurologic imaging and tumor
evaluation are other uses of MRI.
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2. What is an MRA?
MRA stands for magnetic resonance angiography.
It is an MRI examination devoted to evaluation of the vascular
system, whether it be arteries or veins. MRA examinations are
typically of the vessels of the brain, the carotid arteries
(the main arteries in the neck), the aorta, the renal arteries
(the arteries feeding the kidneys) or vessels of the legs. The
main reason for performing an MRA examination is to look for
stenosis, or narrowing, of specific vessels.
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3. What MRI/MRA services are provided by
Hackensack Radiology Group?
Hackensack Radiology Group is at the forefront
of MRI applications, and is one of General Electric Medical
Systems clinical applications test sites. Any MRI procedure
being used clinically at the major university hospitals can
also be found at our imaging centers. These include, but are
not limited to MRI evaluation of the brain and spine, joints,
abdominal organs, breasts, bile ducts, arteries, and prostate.
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4. Is there radiation associated with an
MRI?
Unlike most other radiology imaging procedures,
there is no radiation associated with an MRI exam.
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5. Are there any contraindications to my
having an MRI?
There are many reasons that a person may
not be able to undergo an MRI exam. Please alert your physician
or the radiologist should you have:
• A pacemaker
•
Implanted metal devises
•
Aneurysm clips
•
If you think you might be
pregnant
•
The possibility of any metal
fragments in your body (especially your eyes)
•
If you work around metal
•
If you are claustrophobic
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6. What is the difference between an open
and closed MRI?
Open MRI’s have gained popularity
because they provide more room for the patient. This is beneficial
for highly claustrophobic patients who are unable to undergo
a closed MRI. A closed MRI looks like a tube. Unfortunately,
this tube is somewhat narrow — which is necessary to obtain
high quality images. While open MRI’s are more spacious,
in most cases the image quality is not comparable to a closed
MRI. This is largely due to the fact that open MRI’s are
significantly weaker “magnets” vs. closed MRI’s.
And the strength of the “magnet” directly relates
to the quality of the images.
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7. How long does an MRI exam take?
The length of the MRI exam varies depending
on the study being performed. Most MRI exams are on the order
of 30 minutes, with some being slightly shorter or longer. All
of our exams are tailored to your specific history. At Hackensack
Radiology Group, we pride ourselves on doing the most detailed
examination possible. No corners are cut. Therefore, many examinations
may appear longer than a similar study at other imaging center.
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8. Do I need contrast/dye when
I receive my MRI?
Depending on the exam ordered by you physician
and the questions your doctor has, your may be required to have
contrast/dye administered by vein. This would be performed by
one of our experienced nurses.
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9. Can I be allergic to the contrast/dye?
The contrast material used for an MRI
is not the same as that used for a CT examination. You should
not experience any symptoms from the contrast. It is extremely
rare to have any type of allergic reaction to the contrast material
(nearly one in a million). An allergy to CT contrast does not
mean that you will be allergic to MRI contrast, and does not
preclude you from having a contrast enhanced MRI examination.
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10. What will happen during my examination?
If your test requires you to disrobe,
you will be escorted to a private dressing room with lockers
where you can change into a gown and remove jewelry or other
objects that may interfere with the exam. For the exam, you
will be asked to lie down on a movable table. You will be positioned
on the table by one of our certified MRI technologists so that
the area being imaged is in the middle of the tube. During the
procedure, the table may move over short distances. The technologist
will be talking with you through an intercom and may ask you
to hold your breath or to keep still to prevent motion or blurring
of the pictures. The MRI scanner does make noise. We provide
earplugs or headphones for you to listen to music during the
exam if you desire.
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11. What if I am claustrophobic?
Most patients who are claustrophobic can
still undergo a closed MRI exam. With the assistance of the
MRI technologist, it is usually possible to complete the MRI
study utilizing special features of the MRI. Some patients require
mild sedation with oral valium or other medication prescribed
by their physician to be taken prior to the exam. Rarely, a
patient with severe claustrophobia is unable to complete the
exam. These patients may require a close MRI with anesthesia,
open MRI, or a different imaging study in order to evaluate
their individual symptoms.
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