Claustrophobic
A morbid fear of being in a confined place.

  
 

Defibrillator
Also called implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD). A pacemaker-like device that continuously monitors the heart rhythm and delivers lifesaving shocks if a dangerous heart rhythm is detected.

  
 

Aneurysm
A ballooning out of a segment of artery caused by disease or weakness in the vessel wall. It may lead to rupture and serious or fatal bleeding.

  
 

Catheter
A tubular instrument to allow passage of fluid from or into a body cavity. Especially a catheter designed to be passed through the urethra into the bladder to drain it of retained urine. A flexible, hollow plastic or rubber tube that may be passed into a blood vessel to withdraw fluids or inject medicine or contrast materials.

  
 

Cardiac Pacemaker
An electrical device, often implanted, that maintains a normal heart rhythm by stimulating the heart muscle.

  

 

MRICTPet ScanUltrasoundMammographyNuclear MedicineFluoroscopyBone Densitometry

 


 

 

 

Your Scan Is In Good - And Experienced - Hands.

Patient Preparation for an MRI


You will be asked to lie down on a comfortable, padded table. Our technicians will make sure you are properly positioned and relaxed. Based on the type of MRI you are having, the scans last approximately 20 to 45 minutes.

The machine produces a knocking sound but is completely painless, and you can communicate with the technologist at all times via intercom. You can even listen to music throughout the procedure.

To ensure your MRI at Baton Rouge Radiology Group goes as smoothly as possible, please review the information below:

  1. You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with no metal buttons, zippers or grommets to your appointment. You may be asked to wear a gown during the procedure.
  1. Jewelry and other accessories should be left at home if possible, or removed prior to the MRI scan because they can interfere with the magnetic field of the MRI unit. These include eyeglasses and watches, as well as other objects such as credit cards, cell phones and pagers.
  1. Unless you are told otherwise, you may follow your regular daily routine and take medications as usual.
  1. If you have
    Claustrophobia (klaw-strO-fO-bik) - A morbid fear of being in a confined place.
    claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you may want to ask your physician for a prescription for a mild sedative.
  1. As with any medical procedure, please inform the technologist if you think you may be pregnant. Typically, pregnant women should not have this exam because the risks of MRI to the baby are unknown. In some cases, however, your physician may have decided that the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks and this should be communicated.

Depending on the type of MRI you are having, other preparations may be required.

  1. CONTRAST MRI – Our technologist may ask if you have allergies of any kind such as hay fever, hives, allergic asthma, or to food or drugs. You should know, however, that the contrast material used does not contain iodine and is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
  1. MRI/MRA OF THE BRAIN OR HEAD – Do not wear eye make-up. Tooth fillings and braces may distort images of these areas so make sure the radiologist is aware of them.
  1. ABDOMINAL MRI – You will need to fast, having nothing to eat or drink for at least 4 hours before the exam. 
  1. MRCP – You will need to fast, having nothing to eat or drink for at least 8 hours before the exam.

Special precautions for those with implants, electronic devices or other metal objects within their bodies:
People with the following implants cannot be scanned and should not enter the MRI area:

  1. internal (implanted)
    Defibrillator - Also called implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD). A pacemaker-like device that continuously monitors the heart rhythm and delivers lifesaving shocks if a dangerous heart rhythm is detected.
    defibrillator
  2. cochlear (ear) implant
  3. clips used on brain
    Aneurysm (an-yur-izm) - A ballooning out of a segment of artery caused by disease or weakness in the vessel wall. It may lead to rupture and serious or fatal bleeding.
    aneurysms

If you have any of the following devices or objects in your body, let your technologist know because they may interfere with the exam or potentially pose a risk:

  1. artificial heart valves
  2. implanted drug infusion ports
  3. infusion
    Catheter (kath-i-ter) - 1) A tubular instrument to allow passage of fluid from or into a body cavity. 2) Especially a catheter designed to be passed through the urethra into the bladder to drain it of retained urine. 3) A flexible, hollow plastic or rubber tube that may be passed into a blood vessel to withdraw fluids or inject medicine or contrast materials.
    catheter
  4. intrauterine device (IUD)
  5. implanted electronic device, including a
    Cardiac Pacemaker - An electrical device, often implanted, that maintains a normal heart rhythm by stimulating the heart muscle.
    cardiac pacemaker
  6. artificial limbs or metallic joint prostheses
  7. implanted nerve stimulators
  8. metal pins, screws, plates or surgical staples
  9. shrapnel

(References:  BRRG Procedure, Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Medical Association (AMA), the American College of Radiology (ACR), the National Cancer Institute (NCI),  and WWW.radiologyinfo.org)