Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI, is a non-invasive, painless way to look inside a body to see organs and other body tissues. The purpose of an MRI is to find changes in your body that can lead to diagnosis and treatment of an injury or disease. MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of your organs and tissues. MRI does not use radiation, and there are no known side effects. Give us a call today to learn more about our MRI services in Grapevine.
Since MRI uses a magnet, certain types of metal will interfere with the study. Please let us know of any metal in your body ahead of your visit, and again on the day of the exam. Bring documentation or an implant identification card. An MRI may not be performed if you have a pacemaker, metal clips in the brain (placed to stop bleeding), or cochlear implants in your ear.
If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, call us prior to your appointment.
For most exams, you may eat and drink before your MRI.
Before entering the MRI room, please remove: glasses, pens, pencils, hearing aids, hair accessories, dentures and partial plates, infusion insulin pumps, jewelry, TENS units, coins, credit cards and bank cards, wallets and purses, keys, pocket knives,pagers, phones, and safety pins. Women may be asked to remove make-up for certain exams. You will be in great hands, as our team are experts in medical scanning.
We recommend that you wear comfortable,leisure clothing without metal snaps, zippers hooks, or belt buckles that may affect the quality of the images. Alternatively, we can provide an exam gown during the study.
During your MRI, you will comfortably lie on a padded table. The table then moves into the MRI machine for around 30 minutes with the hope you will remain still, so the best possible picture is obtained. An intercom allows you to speak with the technologist. During the exam, you may hear loud knocking or thumping sounds, so headphones are available during the exam – you can even plug in your own music. Contrast material may be used for some studies, which would be injected by IV during the MRI.
You will be free to resume normal activities, just as you did before the procedure. A radiologist reads your MRI, and the results are reported to your doctor.
While our Siemens MAGNETOM Aera is similar to other MRI scanners in the sense that it acquires images using magnets measured in Tesla (T), at 1.5T, the MAGNETOM Aera offers image quality far surpassing standard MRI imaging technology.
With enhanced visual capabilities, the Aera provides expanded access to diagnostic imaging that supports a complete range of clinical applications, including neurology, orthopedics, body imaging, angiography, cardiology, breast imaging and oncology - ultimately allowing physicians to make quicker, more accurate diagnoses.
The Aera’s large 740 centimeter open bore —the tube structure where the patient lies during the imaging process — provides patients with greater comfort over traditional closed-bore machines and easily accommodates larger patients up to 550 pounds. The system’s open structure has also proved effective in lessening anxiety for claustrophobic and pediatric patients, since many exams can be performed with the patient’s head outside of the bore.
The Aera system is equipped with two exclusive Siemens technologies: Tim™ 4G (fourth generation of Total imaging matrix technology) and Dot (Day optimizing throughput). The combination of Tim and Dot improves the entire MRI workflow by ensuring detailed images for diagnosis and scan, as efficiently as possible.
This advanced technology delivers excellent images to our physicians so that they can make the most confident diagnosis. Grapevine Imaging is your premier location for MRI imaging in the Southlake and Keller, Texas area. Contact us today to get more information on the medical scanning services we provide.
