What to expect at your MRI

We’ll help you get situated on the table, usually lying on your back. Receiver imaging coils will be arranged around the area being scanned. For neck images, a piece of the camera is placed over your neck. When imaging the head, you’ll wear a helmet like camera for the duration of the exam. To help with claustrophobia, mirrored devices can be attached to the helmet. Special eyeglasses with mirrors can also be worn to help alleviate any discomfort from being enclosed. We’ll give you ear plugs and headphones for hearing protection and to hear instructions. 

If your doctor has requested an exam with contrast injection, an IV will be started at the beginning of the exam. This will make it easier to add the contrast, usually towards the end of the exam.

We’ll help you get situated on the table, usually lying on your back. Some spinal imaging also requires imaging coils be placed near your head as well for the best quality. We’ll give you ear plugs and headphones for hearing protection and to hear instructions. Special eyeglasses with mirrors can also be worn to help alleviate any discomfort from being enclosed. 

If your doctor has requested an exam with a contrast injection, an IV will be started at the beginning of the exam. This will make it easier to add the contrast, usually towards the end of the exam.

We’ll help you get situated on the table, usually lying on your back. Receiver imaging coils will be arranged around the area being scanned. The coils are secured with straps to help hold them in place. We’ll give you ear plugs and headphones for hearing protection and to hear instructions. Special eyeglasses with mirrors can also be worn to help alleviate any discomfort from being enclosed. You may be instructed to hold your breath at times during the exams. You may also be asked to not eat or drink anything for a time before the MRI exam.

If your doctor has requested am exam with a contrast injection, an IV will be started at the beginning of the exam. This will make it easier to add the contrast, usually towards the end of the exam.

We’ll help you get situated on the table on your back or stomach. The area being imaged will be placed into a specialized imaging coil. Items like cushions and straps may be used to help secure you in place and avoid any motion. When imaging the upper body, you’ll go into the scanner headfirst. We’ll give you ear plugs and headphones for hearing protection and to hear instructions. Special eyeglasses with mirrors can also be worn to help alleviate any discomfort from being enclosed. When imaging the lower body from the waist down, you’ll go into the scanner feet first. 

If your doctor has requested am exam with a contrast injection, an IV will be started at the beginning of the exam. This will make it easier to add the contrast, usually towards the end of the exam.

Pediatric MRI imaging of all ages is offered at Royal Oak. Child Life specialists are available by request to work with the child and family to prepare for an MRI exam. For those who are too young or are unable to remain still for the duration of their exam, MRI with sedation is offered. 

Below is a video taking you through the MRI process from a child’s perspective.

Cardiac MRI is a non-invasive assessment of the function and structure of the cardiovascular system, including your heart. 

We’ll help you get situated on the table either head or feet first. EKG pads will be placed on your chest to monitor your heart rate during the exam. An imaging coil will be placed over your chest and secured with a strap. We’ll give you ear plugs and headphones for hearing protection and to hear instructions. Special eyeglasses with mirrors can also be worn to help alleviate any discomfort from being enclosed. During this exam, we’ll occasionally ask you to hold your breath. 

If your doctor has requested am exam with a contrast injection, an IV will be started at the beginning of the exam. This will make it easier to add the contrast, usually towards the end of the exam.

You can anticipate the exam lasting from 40 to 60 minutes.

MRI enterography is used to evaluate bowel wall features of both the upper and lower gastro-intestinal tract, although it is usually used for small bowel evaluation.

Before your imaging, a technologist will give you oral contrast. You’ll need to finish swallowing the contrast within a specific time frame. To help the contrast move through your intestines, we may ask you to walk around. When it is time for imaging, we’ll help you get situated on the table. An IV will be started at the beginning of the exam. Imaging coils will be placed over your abdomen and pelvis then secured with straps. We’ll give you ear plugs and headphones for hearing protection and to hear instructions. Special eyeglasses with mirrors can also be worn to help alleviate any discomfort from being enclosed. During this exam, we’ll occasionally ask you to hold your breath. A radiologist will then give you a small injection in the shoulder muscle of a medicine called Glucagon. This slows down the bowel motion to allow better quality imaging of the abdomen. You may also be asked to not eat or drink anything for a time period before the MRI exam. 

You can anticipate being on campus for approximately two hours for your exam. The imaging portion of the exam will be roughly 45 minutes.

MRI of the prostate is a diagnostic exam used to evaluate the extent of prostate cancer and determine whether it has spread. It is also used to help diagnose infection, conditions you were born with or an enlarged prostate.

We’ll help you get situated on the table, with your feet facing the scanner. An imaging coil will be placed over your pelvis and secured with a strap. We’ll give you ear plugs and headphones for hearing protection and to hear instructions. Special eyeglasses with mirrors can also be worn to help alleviate any discomfort from being enclosed. During this exam, we’ll occasionally ask you to hold your breath. An IV will be started at the beginning of the exam. You may be asked to do an enema prep the day prior to your MRI. 

You can anticipate the exam lasting approximately 45 minutes.

MRI of the breast is a diagnostic exam used to evaluate the breasts for abnormalities often discovered on a mammogram or ultrasound. An MRI can help to determine the exact size and location of a cancer, to look for additional tumors in the breast and evaluate the extent of disease. In women with silicone breast implants, breast MRI can be used to check for implant leaks or structural abnormalities.

We’ll help you get situated on the table, lying on your stomach with your breasts draped inside an imaging coil. If possible, we’ll ask you to move your arms above your head. We’ll give you ear plugs and headphones for hearing protection and to hear instructions. Special eyeglasses with mirrors can also be worn to help alleviate any discomfort from being enclosed.

If your doctor has requested am exam with a contrast injection, an IV will be started at the beginning of the exam. This will make it easier to add the contrast, usually towards the end of the exam. 

You can anticipate the exam lasting for approximately 30 minutes.

An arthrogram is a focused image of the joint using a contrast medium, or dye, injected directly into the injured joint, instead of in a vein). The on-sight radiologist uses fluoroscopy (a continuous X-ray “movie”) to direct the contrast needle into the proper position before and during injection. Once complete, images are taken using an MRI to monitor how the contrast moves and highlight any potential injury. The arthrogram diagnoses specific joint injuries more clearly and effectively than an MRI alone. 

A wide variety of joints can be imaged using MRI arthrography. Hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and ankles are examples of the most common exams. When you arrive at the Radiology department and you’ll receive an injection in your joint using fluoroscopic guidance (x ray). After the injection, we’ll take you to the MRI department for imaging. We’ll give you ear plugs and headphones for hearing protection and to hear instructions. Special eyeglasses with mirrors can also be worn to help alleviate any discomfort from being enclosed.

Depending on the joint being imaged, you can anticipate the exam lasting from 30-60 minutes.

MRI can be performed with the help of sedation and is offered for both adult and pediatric patients.

If sedation is required, several days prior to the MRI, Anesthesia prescreening will call to go over a series of questions along with arrival instructions with you. You will be asked to fast for a period of time prior to the MRI. Special considerations are given to those who require medication or are unable to comply with instructions due to health conditions. Upon arrival, you’ll change into a gown and be screened for safety by a technologist. An Anesthesiologist will go over any health conditions/concerns and explain how the sedation will be performed. 

Once in the MRI suite, we’ll help you get situated on the MRI table and attach monitors. An IV will be started to deliver medication throughout the exam. A mask that delivers oxygen and a sedative gas will be placed on your face for you to breath to drift off to sleep. Once you are asleep, you will be positioned for the exam and placed inside the MRI scanner. 

When your exam is complete, you will be taken to the recovery area to fully awaken from the procedure. Recovery is performed by nursing staff who will continue to monitor for comfort and look for any signs of distress. You will be offered something to drink along with something small to eat prior to being discharged home.
You should plan to be on campus for a minimum of three hours.

CinemaVision is available, allowing children or adults the ability to watch and listen to their favorite movie while undergoing an MRI. A wide variety of movies/television shows are available to choose from or feel free to bring in a favorite from home.