Services | Radiology | MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (“Open” MRI)


1. Exam Description


MRI is a type of imaging technique that provides valuable information to your physician. Most people are familiar with the use of x-rays to obtain images, but MRI is different: It uses no x-rays, but rather your body’s natural magnetic field to produce images. Special equipment including a computer, a large, powerful magnet and radio waves piece together information about the body’s tissues and structures based on the natural magnetic fields emitted by the body. MRI may be used in addition to or along with x-rays or CAT scanning to help diagnose and treat your symptoms.

2. You Can Expect


An MRI is painless. The individual who will perform the MRI study is known as a Radiologic Technologist, a highly skilled and educated person that works under close supervision of the Radiologist. The technologist will have you change into a gown, then assist you onto the examination table. MRI scanning is performed with you lying on a padded table that moves under a large magnet in the MRI unit. URMC’s Open MRI scanner virtually eliminates claustrophobia and the need for sedation often associated with other types of MRI units. For the best quality MRI, you must relax and lie still during scanning. All of these measures help you become more comfortable during scanning. MRI scanning can be noisy. During scanning you will hear tapping noises at intervals. These sounds are normal and occur while the scanner is operating. You will be issued earplugs to help minimize the noise. Some MRI scans are performed after the injection of an intravenous contrast. The “contrast” is a solution that highlights certain tissues on the images, which may provide additional information to the Radiologist when analyzing the tissues and organs. When the exam is complete, the table will slide out of the MRI unit.

3. Preparations


Generally, there are no special preparations prior to an MRI exam.

4. Patient Suggestions


Wear comfortable clothing, preferably clothing with no zippers or snaps
(i.e. a cotton sweat suit)
Avoid wearing jewelry
Follow all exam preparation instructions received prior to the examination

5. Exam Results


A Radiologist, a physician who specializes in the interpretation of various imaging tests such as MRI, X-Ray, Ultrasound, Mammography, CT, and Nuclear Medicine, will review the images and send a typed report to the designated health care provider.

6. Please Note


Because of the way MRI works, certain metallic objects cannot be present in the MRI unit. While we will have you remove jewelry and other visible metallic objects before entering the scanner, you may still have metal inside your body.

Examples include:
»   A pacemaker
»   Joint or bone pins or metal plates
»   Unremoved bullets, shrapnel or BB shot
»   Inner ear implants
»   Aneurysm clips, surgical clips, or stents
»   Metal fragments from welding

Some metals, even SOME of those items listed above, don’t present a problem for scanning. However, due to the potential consequences, it is critical to know about ANY metal objects inside your body prior to having an MRI.

IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE ABOVE-LISTED METALLIC ITEMS IN YOUR BODY, OR IF YOU HAVE EVER WELDED, GROUND, DRILLED OR OTHERWISE WORKED WITH METAL, PLEASE CALL (931) 461-3457 PRIOR TO ARRIVING FOR YOUR SCAN.