MRI
MRI / MRA of the Brain
MRI of the Spine: Cervical, Thoracic or Lumbar-sacral
MRI of the Extremities: Shoulder, Arm, Wrist/Hand, Hips, Leg, Knee, Ankle/Foot
MRI of the Heart
MRI of the Abdomen
MRCP
MRI of the Pelvis
MR Arthrogram
MRI of the Breast
MRA
MRI
Offered at Baptist, South Miami and Homestead Hospitals and Baptist Medical Plaza at Westchester.
What is it?
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) generates images of the tissues in the body part being scanned.
MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) generates images of the blood flow in the arteries or veins as specified by your physician.
Your physician has ordered an MRI to aid in the assessment of your care. MRI scans are able to look right through clothes and bones and view the soft tissue parts of your body. An MRI can also view blood flow through blood vessels. Depending on your diagnosis and clinical history, MRI is considered the preferred method of looking at the spinal cord, pelvis, brain and extremities. Your heart, liver, kidneys, gall bladder and pancreas can also be viewed through MRI.
Here is how it works. The MRI scanner is a large magnet. During the scan, you will lie within its harmless magnetic field. A very small amount of the hydrogen atoms within your body will align themselves in this field. These aligned atoms absorb radio-frequency waves and then return a signal that is processed by computers into an image. The differences among the signals help differentiate organs as well as normal tissue from abnormal tissue. The image that is created is then stored in a computer or on film.
Depending upon your diagnosis and physical condition, your doctor may order a scan with contrast. For an MRI scan, we inject a paramagnetic agent called gadolinium. A paramagnetic agent has the ability to interact within the magnetic field, and this contrast helps to enhance the area of interest by making the area stand out. The injection is done intravenously. While there have been documented allergic reactions to gadolinium, these have been extremely rare. When a reaction does occur, it is very mild.
We also may inject an agent called glucagon. This gives us better images as it slows down the movement of the abdominal and pelvic organs. Oral contrast can also be used for MRI of the pancreas and for MRCP (magnetic resonance choliangopancreatography). This enhances the visualization of the common bile duct, pancreatic duct and the biliary tree.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days for the results.
Preparation
There is no preparation necessary for most MRI scans.
Upon arrival, you will be asked to complete a Safety Screening Form that will allow the radiologist to determine if it is safe for you to have an MRI. If you have an implant inside your body and your surgeon provided you with an implant identification card, please bring the card with you to your MRI appointment. MRI scans are not the imaging tool of choice for people with certain types of metallic implants in their bodies, such as a pacemaker, an inner ear implant (cochlear), brain aneurysm clips, some artificial valves and some filters/stents.
If you have a tattoo anywhere on your body, please inform the technologist responsible for your scan. Some tattoo inks contain metal and may cause skin irritation. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult your physician.
You will be asked to change into a gown prior to the procedure. Because of the strong magnet, certain metal objects are not allowed in the room. You will be asked to remove items such as jewelry, watches, credit cards (or other magnetic strip cards), hearing aids, wigs, hair pins, pens, pocket knives, coins, keys and eye glasses. You may want to leave your valuables at home.
The MRI scanner makes banging noises when it is operating and acquiring images. Hearing protection is provided to all patients. You may choose to use earplugs or headphones through which you may listen to the radio. At some locations, you may bring your own cassette tape or compact disk to listen to during your scan.
While the scan itself is painless, some patients may feel anxious and require a sedative. Prior to your scan you may ask your physician for a prescription for a sedative. If you choose to take one, please bring someone along to drive you home.
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MRI / MRA of the Brain
Offered at Baptist, Doctors, South Miami and Homestead Hospitals, and all Baptist Medical Plazas.
What is it?
Your physician has ordered an MRI of the brain. This scan helps your physician determine if there is any abnormality in the tissues of the brain. Your MRI may be ordered "without contrast" or "with and without contrast."
Your MRI scan will take approximately 30 minutes if it was ordered without contrast and approximately 45 minutes if it was ordered with and without contrast.
An MRA of the brain looks at the blood flow in the arteries or veins of the brain, as specified by your physician. This test helps your physician determine if there is any disruption in the normal blood flow in the brain. Contrast is not usually necessary for this test.
Your MRA brain scan will take approximately 20 minutes. Both MRI and MRA of the brain can be done at the same time.
What are the general procedures for an MRI or MRA of the brain?
You will lie on the table in the MRI scan room and a coil (which helps to make the images) will be placed around your head. The coil has an open design and has a mirror that allows you to look around the room during the scan.
You will be given hearing protection, either earplugs or headphones. If you select headphones, you may listen to music if you wish and the technologist will speak to you through the headphones. You will be given an emergency call button so that if you have an emergency during the scan you can alert the technologist. Once you are comfortable, the scan will begin.
During the scan you will hear banging noises when the scanner is acquiring images. It is very important that you remain perfectly still during the scan so that we can obtain the best-quality images.
If your scan was ordered with contrast, partway through the scan the technologist will inject the contrast through a pre-inserted needle in your vein. Additional images will be acquired after the injection of contrast.
The contrast is excreted primarily through your kidneys within hours.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days to discuss the results.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this test. You may eat and drink normally and take your regular medications prior to coming to the MRI department.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
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MRI of the Spine: Cervical, Thoracic or Lumbar-sacral
Offered at Baptist, Doctors, South Miami and Homestead Hospitals and all Baptist Medical Plazas.
What is it?
Your physician has ordered an MRI scan of your spine. This scan helps your physician determine if there is any abnormality in the vertebrae, in the discs or in the spinal cord. Your MRI may be ordered "without contrast" or "with and without contrast."
Your MRI scan will take approximately 30 minutes if it was ordered without contrast and approximately 45-60 minutes if it was ordered with and without contrast.
What is the general procedure for an MRI of the spine?
You will lie on the table in the MRI scan room and a coil (which helps to make the images) will be placed over the area to be scanned. Your knees will be elevated on a pad to relieve any pressure on your back.
You will be given hearing protection, either earplugs or headphones. If you select headphones, you may listen to music if you wish and the technologist will speak to you through the headphones. You will be given an emergency call button so that if you have an emergency during the scan you can alert the technologist. Once you are comfortable, the scan will begin.
During the scan you will hear banging noises when the scanner is acquiring images. It is very important that you remain perfectly still during the scan so that we can obtain the best-quality images.
If your scan was ordered with contrast, partway through the scan the technologist will inject the contrast through a pre-inserted needle in your vein. Additional images will be acquired after the injection of contrast.
The contrast is excreted primarily through your kidneys within hours.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days to discuss the results.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this test. You may eat and drink normally and take your regular medications prior to coming to the MRI department.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
If you are allergic to iodine, your doctor must prescribe Medrol.
- 32 mg 12 hours prior to exam
- 32 mg 2 hours prior to exam
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MRI of the Extremities: Shoulder, Arm, Wrist/Hand, Hips, Leg, Knee,
Ankle/Foot
Offered at Baptist, Doctors, South Miami and Homestead Hospitals, and Baptist Medical Plazas at Coral Gables, Doral, Miami Lakes, Palmetto Bay, Tamiami Trail and Westchester.
What is it?
Your physician has ordered an MRI scan of one of the above body parts. This scan helps your physician determine if there is any abnormality in the bones or soft tissues and if there is any disruption of the ligaments. Contrast is not usually needed for MRI of the extremities except for a few specific diagnoses.
Your MRI will last approximately 35 minutes and approximately 45 minutes if contrast is ordered.
What is the general procedure for an MRI of the extremities?
You will lie on the table in the MRI scan room and a coil (which helps to make the images) will be placed around the area to be scanned. Your arm or leg will be supported with pads and immobilized to help you keep perfectly still during the scan.
You will be given hearing protection, either earplugs or headphones. If you select headphones, you may listen to music if you wish and the technologist will speak to you through the headphones. You will be given an emergency call button so that if you have an emergency during the scan you can alert the technologist. Once you are comfortable, the scan will begin.
During the scan you will hear banging noises when the scanner is acquiring images. It is very important that you remain perfectly still during the scan so that we can obtain the best-quality images.
If your scan was ordered with contrast, partway through the scan the technologist will inject the contrast through a pre-inserted needle in your vein. Additional images will be acquired after the injection of contrast.
The contrast is excreted primarily through your kidneys within hours.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days to discuss the results.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this test. You may eat and drink normally and take your regular medications prior to coming to the MRI department.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
If with contrast and you are allergic to iodine, your doctor must prescribe Medrol.
- 32 mg 12 hours prior to exam
- 32 mg 2 hours prior to exam
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MRI of the Heart
Offered at Baptist Hospital and Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute.
What is it?
Your physician has ordered an MRI of the heart. This scan will give your physician valuable information about the anatomy and function of your heart. Contrast is not usually needed for MRI of the heart except for a few specific diagnoses.
Your MRI will take approximately 60 minutes and approximately 90 minutes if contrast is ordered.
MRI of the heart requires special equipment and software that are only available at Baptist Hospital. In addition, these studies are monitored by specially trained radiologists and are scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays only.
What is the general procedure for an MRI of the heart?
You will lie on the table in the MRI scan room and ECG electrodes will be placed on your chest. ECG leads will be connected to the electrodes so that the MRI computers can coordinate the MRI scans to your heartbeat. A coil (which helps to make the images) will be placed around your chest and secured in place. You will be given breathing instructions, as you will be required to hold your breath for the MRI scans.
You will be given headphones for hearing protection. You may listen to music if you wish and the technologist will speak to you through the headphones. You will be given an emergency call button so that if you have an emergency during the scan you can alert the technologist. Once you are comfortable, the scan will begin.
During the scan you will hear banging noises when the scanner is acquiring images. The technologist will speak to you and tell you when to hold your breath. It is very important that you remain perfectly still during the scan so that we can obtain the best-quality images.
If your scan was ordered with contrast, partway through the scan the contrast will be injected through a pre-inserted needle in your vein. Additional images will be acquired after the injection of contrast.
The contrast is excreted primarily through your kidneys within hours.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days to discuss the results.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this test. You may eat and drink normally and take your regular medications prior to coming to the MRI department.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
If with contrast and you are allergic to iodine, your doctor must prescribe Medrol.
- 32 mg 12 hours prior to exam
- 32 mg 2 hours prior to exam
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MRI of the Abdomen
Offered at Baptist, Doctors, Homestead and South Miami Hospitals, and Baptist Medical Plazas at Coral Gables, Doral, Miami Lakes, Palmetto Bay, Tamiami Trail and Westchester.
What is it?
Your physician has ordered an MRI of the abdomen with special attention to the liver, pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands or spleen as specified by your physician. This scan will help your physician detect abnormalities in the organs of the abdomen. This scan is usually done with and without contrast.
Your scan will take approximately 35-40 minutes.
What is the general procedure for an MRI of the abdomen?
You will lie on the table in the MRI scan room and a coil (which helps to make the images) will be placed on your abdomen and secured in place. You will be given breathing instructions, as you will be required to hold your breath for the MRI scans.
You will be given headphones for hearing protection. You may listen to music if you wish and the technologist will speak to you through the headphones. You will be given an emergency call button so that if you have an emergency during the scan you can alert the technologist.
The technologist will connect the contrast injector to a pre-inserted needle in your vein so that at the appropriate time the contrast can be injected. Once you are comfortable, the scan will begin.
During the scan you will hear banging noises when the scanner is acquiring images. The technologist will speak to you and tell you when to hold your breath. It is very important that you remain perfectly still during the scan and follow the breathing instructions so that we can obtain the best-quality images.
At the appropriate time, contrast will be injected and scans acquired at timed intervals.
The contrast is excreted primarily through your kidneys within hours.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days to discuss the results.
Preparation
Please have nothing to eat or drink for two hours prior to your arrival in the MRI department.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
If with contrast and you are allergic to iodine, your doctor must prescribe Medrol.
- 32 mg 12 hours prior to exam
- 32 mg 2 hours prior to exam
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MRCP
Offered at Baptist, South Miami, Doctors and Homestead Hospitals, and Baptist Medical Plaza at Coral Gables, Doral, Miami Lakes, Palmetto Bay, Tamiami Trail and Westchester.
What is it?
Your physician has ordered an MRCP or Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-pancreatogram. This scan will give your physician valuable information about the common bile duct, pancreatic duct and the biliary tree. Oral contrast is required but no intravenous contrast is required for this scan.
Your scan will last approximately 20–30 minutes.
What is the general procedure for a MRCP?
Twenty minutes before the start of your MRCP, you will be asked to drink an oral contrast agent called Gastromark. This prepares the gastrointestinal tract so that we can better identify the biliary tree. After sufficient time has passed, you will be taken into the MRI scan room to begin your scan.
You will lie on the table and a coil (which helps to make the images) will be placed on your abdomen and secured in place. You will be given breathing instructions, as you will be required to hold your breath for the scans.
You will be given headphones for hearing protection. You may listen to music if you wish and the technologist will speak to you through the headphones. You will be given an emergency call button so that if you have an emergency during the scan you can alert the technologist.
During the scan you will hear banging noises when the scanner is acquiring images. The technologist will speak to you and tell you when to hold your breath. It is very important that you remain perfectly still during the scan and follow the breathing instructions so that we can obtain the best-quality images.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days to discuss the results.
Preparation
Please have nothing to eat or drink for two hours prior to your arrival in the MRI department.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
If with contrast and you are allergic to iodine, your doctor must prescribe Medrol.
- 32 mg 12 hours prior to exam
- 32 mg 2 hours prior to exam
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MRI of the Pelvis
Offered at Baptist, Doctors, Homestead and South Miami Hospitals, and Baptist Medical Plazas at Coral Gables, Doral, Miami Lakes, Palmetto Bay, Tamiami Trail and Westchester.
What is it?
Your physician has ordered an MRI of the pelvis. This scan will help your physician detect abnormalities in the pelvis. This scan can be done without contrast or with and without contrast.
Your scan will take approximately 35 minutes without contrast, or approximately 45 minutes if ordered with or without contrast.
What is the general procedure for an MRI of the pelvis?
You will lie on the table in the MRI scan room and a coil (which helps to make the images) will be placed on your pelvis and secured in place. You will be given breathing instructions, as you will be required to hold your breath for the MRI scans.
You will be given headphones for hearing protection. You may listen to music if you wish and the technologist will speak to you through the headphones. You will be given an emergency call button so that if you have an emergency during the scan you can alert the technologist.
The technologist will connect the contrast injector to a pre-inserted needle in your vein so that at the appropriate time the contrast can be injected.
Immediately before your scan starts, a registered nurse will administer an injection of glucagon. This slows the movement of the intestines for a short period so we can get better images. Once you are comfortable, the scan will begin.
During the scan you will hear banging noises when the scanner is acquiring images. The technologist will speak to you through the headphones and tell you when to hold your breath. It is very important that you remain perfectly still during the scan and follow the breathing instructions so that we can obtain the best-quality images.
If your scan was ordered with contrast, at the appropriate time contrast will be injected and scans acquired at timed intervals.
The contrast is excreted primarily through your kidneys within hours.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days to discuss the results.
Preparation
Please have nothing to eat or drink for two hours prior to your arrival in the MRI Dept.
Please arrive 1 1/2 hours before exam to drink the oral contrast. It takes one hour for the contrast to reach the pelvis.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
If with contrast and you are allergic to iodine, your doctor must prescribe Medrol.
- 32 mg 12 hours prior to exam
- 32 mg 2 hours prior to exam
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MR Arthrogram
Offered at Baptist and South Miami Hospitals.
What is it?
Your physician has ordered an MR arthrogram of your joint (usually done on the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee or ankle). This scan will give your physician valuable information about specific structures in the joint that may not be readily visualized by other imaging tools.
What is the general procedure for an MR arthrogram?
This is a two-part procedure. The first part of the test is done in the X-ray department (which is located next to the MRI department).
You will be taken into the X-ray room. There, under X-ray control, the radiologist will inject a small amount of contrast directly into the joint to be scanned. There should only be only minimal discomfort, as the radiologist will numb the area before he or she injects the contrast.
Next, you will return to MRI for the MRI scan.
The whole procedure will take approximately an hour and 15 minutes.
MR Arthrogram of the Hip
If you are scheduled for a MR arthrogram of your hip, please arrange for someone to drive you home, as some people experience some discomfort after this test.
Preparation
You may eat and drink normally and take your regular medications prior to coming to the MRI department.
Please have no aspirin for five days prior to your MR arthrogram.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
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MRI of the Breast
Offered at Baptist and Homestead Hospitals, and Baptist Medical Plazas at Coral Gables, Doral, Miami Lakes, Palmetto Bay and Tamiami Trail.
What is it?
Your physician has ordered an MRI of the breast. This scan helps your physician determine if there is any abnormality in the tissues of the breast or if there is an implant rupture. Your MRI may be ordered without contrast or with and without contrast. Your MRI scan will take approximately 35 minutes.
MRI of the breast requires special coils and software that are available only at Baptist Hospital. In addition, these studies are monitored by specially trained radiologists and are scheduled on weekdays only.
What is the general procedure for an MRI of the breast?
You will lie on the table in the MRI scan room face down so that your breasts lie within a special breast coil (which helps to make the images).
You will be given hearing protection and an emergency call button so that if you have an emergency during the scan you can alert the technologist. Once you are comfortable, the scan will begin.
During the scan you will hear banging noises when the scanner is acquiring images. It is very important that you remain perfectly still during the scan so that we can obtain the best-quality images.
If your scan was ordered with contrast, partway through the scan the technologist will inject the contrast through a pre-inserted heparin loc. Additional images will be acquired after the injection of contrast.
The contrast is excreted primarily through your kidneys within hours.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days to discuss the results.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this test. You may eat and drink normally and take your regular medications prior to coming to the MRI department.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
If with contrast and you are allergic to iodine, your doctor must prescribe Medrol.
- 32 mg 12 hours prior to exam
- 32 mg 2 hours prior to exam
*Pre-menopausal patients need to be scheduled day 5 to 15 of the menstrual cycle; best days 7-10.
*Patients must bring the report of their outside mammograms, ultrasound, biopsies and pathology reports along with their films. They will need to leave them here so that the information is correlated to the breast MRI.
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MRA
Offered at Baptist, Doctors, Homestead and South Miami Hospitals, and Baptist Medical Plazas at Coral Gables, Doral, Miami Lakes, Tamiami Trail and Westchester.
What is it?
MRA – Magnetic Resonance Angiography - gives information about the blood flow in the arteries and helps your physician determine if there is any disruption in the normal blood flow.
MRA of the neck, carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, aortic arch, aorta, renal arteries, celiac arteries, mesenteric arteries, pelvis, upper extremities and lower extremities are always done with contrast
Your scan will take approximately 35-60 minutes.
You will lie on the table in the MRI scan room and a coil (which helps to make the images) will be placed over the area of interest and secured in place. You will be given breathing instructions, as you will usually be required to hold your breath for the MRI scans.
You will be given headphones for hearing protection. You may listen to music if you wish and the technologist will speak to you through the headphones. You will be given an emergency call button so that if you have an emergency during the scan you can alert the technologist.
The technologist will connect a contrast injector to a pre-inserted heparin loc so that at the appropriate time the contrast can be injected. Once you are comfortable, the scan will begin.
During the scan you will hear banging noises when the scanner is acquiring images. The technologist will speak to and tell you when to hold your breath. It is very important that you remain perfectly still during the scan and follow the breathing instructions so that we can obtain the best-quality images.
At the appropriate time, contrast will be injected and scans acquired at timed intervals.
The contrast is excreted primarily through your kidneys within hours.
Please contact your physician within 7-10 days to discuss the results.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this test. You may eat and drink normally and take your regular medications prior to coming to the MRI department.
The technologist will want to know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If contrast has been ordered and you are breast-feeding, you must stop for 48 hours and express and discard the milk during that period.
The equipment used for your procedure requires a very cold environment. Please bring a sweater.
Please leave your valuables at home.
*MRA of the Chest: NPO for two hours.
*MRA of the Neck: NPO for two hours.
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- The equipment used for your procedure requires a very cold environment. Please bring a sweater.
- Please leave your valuables at home.
- If you have any questions about these instructions or have any other concerns, contact your doctor immediately.
Disclaimer: These instructions are general guidelines. If your physician gives you more detailed directions, follow his/her advice.