How do I prepare for an MRI
Several days prior to your MRI, you need to contact AMI MRI Department to go over a screening questionnaire, 860-489-2982. During the screening process, safety questions will be asked regarding past metal injuries, recent surgeries within the last 6 weeks or prior surgery for placement of a pacemaker, aneurysm clips, metallic implants or a defibrillator, etc. Certain MRI exams will require you to fast for up to four hours prior to the exam and the schedulers will instruct you regarding the necessity for doing so.
Please print and fill out the MRI screening form before your appointment.
If you feel you may have difficulty lying still in a confined space, you may want to ask your referring physician for a prescription for a sedative to be taken just before your exam. Patients should prepare for their MRI exam by wearing comfortable clothing without any metal buttons, zippers.
The technologist will make sure that you do not have any metal on your body before the procedure begins. It is very important to remain still during the test. Most exams take 30-60 minutes, depending on the type of exam. Some patients will require an injection of contrast material to enhance the visibility of certain tissues or blood vessels. The injection is given with a small needle in a vein in the arm or hand. This should have no effect on how you feel after the exam.
Can I have an MRI if I have:
You cannot have an MRI if you have any of the following:
- Cardiac Pacemaker
- Artificial heart valve prostheses\
- Aneurysm clips
- Eye implants or metal ear implants or any metal implants activated electronically, magnetically or mechanically.
- Copper 7 IUD
- Shrapnel or non-removed bullet
- Pregnancy
- Claustrophobia
- Any metal puncture(s) or fragment(s) in eye
Although Gadolinium is a safe contrast agent, our office will sometimes order a kidney function test. A Creatinine level or GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) will be needed if you:
- Are over the age of 60 years
- being treated for high blood pressure
- has diabeties
- has liver desease
- has/had kidney failure, kidney surgery, one kidney
If you have a recent (within 6 weeks ) blood test from a lab, please furnish that information to us prior to your appointment
If you are having a CT of the abdomen or pelvis with oral contrast, do not eat or drink for 3 hours prior to the exam. You may have small amounts of water, if needed, to take medications only. You may be asked to arrive early by our schedulers to drink the necessary oral contrast.
If you are not having oral contrast you may drink a normal amount of fluids up until your exam.
If you are having any other type of CT exam, you may drink fluids up until your exam unless other instructions are given.
What should I wear to my cat scan
For a cat scan we look to remove the metal from the clothing iin the area we are scanning, zippers and buttons from pants, neckless and piercings for a Chest or neck cat scan,
The CT lung scan is not for everyone. It is best for patients who are over 50 and with a significant smoking history.
Yes. Radiation exposure is minimal. No needles, injections, or sedations are used.
Coronary Calcium scoring is not for everyone. In general, it is most appropriate for men and women, age 40-70, who have one additional risk factor. It is not for people with already known coronary heart disease, arrhythmia’s, or previous heart surgery. The scan could be the first step in preventing a major fatal cardiac event. The American Heart Association now recommends the heart scan for low risk asymptomatic patients with a family history of premature heart disease or in asymptomatic intermediate risk patients.
There is no specific preparation for the scan. You may eat or drink, however caffeinated products may make your heart beat too fast. Avoid shirts with metal straps or buttons. Women should avoid wearing a bra with under-wire or metal closures.
Ultrasound
- Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your exam. The preparations for an ultrasound vary depending on the body part you are having scanned.
- If you are having an ultrasound of any Upper Abdominal Organ do not eat 8 hours prior to your exam.
- If you are having an ultrasound of your Pelvis you will need to have a full bladder for this exam. Do not empty your bladder 2 hours before the exam.
- No prep is needed if you are having an ultrasound of your Breast, Extremity or other body parts (i.e., Thyroid).
ULTRASOUND
excessive bone loss and therefore prevent fractures from happening.
- Women who are postmenopausal. It has been documented that the greatest bone loss for women can occur within five years following menopause.
- Women who have gone through premature menopause.
- Men or women on long term steroid, anticonvulsant and thyroid medication.
- Men, women or children with chronic diseases, which require therapies that can affect, bone metabolism.
- Men, women or children with anorexia nervosa.
- Children with growth disorders, metabolic diseases, delayed puberty, malnutrition
- We asked that you do not wear any clothing with buttons, snaps or zippers. If you do not have any available, we will provide you with a gown.
- Calcium supplementations should not be taken the morning of the exam.
- Please advise us if you have had a recent diagnostic study involving oral contrast agents (i.e. CT scan utilizing barium contrast). It is very important to wait at least 10 days before having the DXA scan because residual barium in the colon will interfere with the results.
Please inform us prior to the exam if you think you may be pregnant.
