Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
What is MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a widely accepted standard procedure that allows a physician to obtain information about your body, particularly soft tissue anatomy, that is often not possible to obtain by other means. This includes the brain, spine, internal organs, and body joints such as the knee or shoulder. An MRI can help your doctor determine the true state of your health without the use of X-ray radiation.
To schedule your MRI exam please call us at (707) 525-4040. If you need to cancel, please call us 24 hours prior to your scheduled exam time.
How does it work?
MRI images are created with the use of computers, a large magnet, and radio waves that interact with the magnetic properties of atoms within your body. The MRI scanner looks like a large cube with a hole in the middle. This structure houses a super-conducting magnet capable of producing a powerful magnetic field. Because of the magnetic power of the equipment, patients are asked to remove all metal objects prior to the exam. Patients with pacemakers, surgical clips, prostheses, or any other metal objects in the body may not be eligible for MRI exams. Please discuss your particular situation with our Patient Services Representative prior to scheduling your appointment.
Some patients are often anxious about having an MRI because they associate it with being in a closed environment. If you are severely claustrophobic (have a fear of closed-in places), you may request that your exam take place in our Open MRI scanner in Santa Rosa.
Pre-exam instructions for a MRI
Please follow all special instructions given to you by your doctor or our Patient Services Representative when you schedule your appointment. Failing to properly prepare for your exam may cause you to have to reschedule your procedure.
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding, please tell your doctor before calling our offices.
We recommend that you wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes without metal such as metal buttons, snaps or zippers. Otherwise, you will be asked to change into a gown before your exam. You will be asked to remove your jewelry or any other metallic objects that may contain traces of metal before your exam begins. A storage unit will be provided to you for the safekeeping of your valuables.
We ask that you arrive at our facility at least fifteen minutes prior to your scheduled exam time so you can complete all necessary paperwork. Be sure to bring a copy of your insurance information with you. We may request that you bring films or copies of results from any previous tests. Please be prepared to provide all information about your medical history.
The day of your exam
On the day of your exam, please follow all special instructions that were given to you by your doctor or our Patient Services Representative when you scheduled your appointment. Remember, failing to properly prepare for your exam may cause you to have to reschedule your procedure.
Before your MRI, you will be asked if you have ever had surgery on the body part that will be examined, or if there is cancer anywhere in your body? If you answer "yes" to either of these questions, your procedure may be done with a contrast agent that helps the Radiologist better visualize your tissue and/or organs.
We will verify with you any information you provided about metal in your body prior to starting your exam. Certain metal devices, such as pacemakers, surgical clips or prosthesis, may make you ineligible for an MRI exam.
An MRI exam takes approximately 30 minutes. During the exam, you will be required to lie very still on a flat surface, usually on your back. While the exam is being performed, you will hear a series of knocking, tapping and/or buzzing sounds. This is completely normal and you will be provided ear plugs to reduce these noises. There is a speaker and microphone that allows you to communicate with the technologist.
After your exam
You can resume your normal diet and activities immediately after your MRI exam. If you were given contrast, it will pass through your body naturally within a couple of hours. The contrast is odorless and colorless.
One of our radiologists will review and interpret the MRI images and send a report to your physician within 24 hours. Your physician will contact you to share the results with you.
MRI side-effects
There are no known long-term side effects associated with MRI. However, you may experience ringing in your ears for a short time after the exam. This is normal and is caused by the loud noises you will be exposed to during the exam. Wearing the earplugs that are provided will most likely prevent this from happening.