| Q |
|
Will
it hurt? |
| A |
|
MRI
is a painless procedure.
|
| Q |
|
How
long will the exam take? |
| A |
|
The
exam will take between fifteen minutes and one hour from the
time you lie on the table.
|
| Q |
|
How
will I learn the results? |
| A |
|
After
receiving the results of your MRI, your physician will discuss
the findings with you.
|
| Q |
|
Can
I take my prescribed medication? |
| A |
|
Those
having MRCP exams to check for stones in the common bile duct,
and people who need sedation/pain management or anesthesia are the only patients
that will have special instructions on diet/medication restrictions.
All other patients should eat, drink and take prescribed medication
as normal. MRCP patients are to have nothing to eat or drink
4 hours prior to exam time. These patients should continue to
take their prescribed medication however with a small sip of
water. Patients who are scheduled for sedation and/or pain management
or anesthesia will be given special instructions at the time their appointment
is scheduled.
|
| Q |
|
What
should I do to prepare? |
| A |
|
Wear
comfortable clothes, preferably without metal. Bring any
paperwork
given to you by your ordering physician. Bring any and all
pervious, pertinent x-rays, CT or MRI films. You should
plan on arriving
in the MRI department 15 minutes prior to your exam time.
|
| Q |
|
What
if I am claustrophobic? |
| A |
|
You
should contact your ordering physician so they can make arrangements
prior to your MRI exam.
|
| Q |
|
What
about the contrast used? |
| A |
|
Contrast
is used in the MRI department, Gadolinium, is nonionic extracellular
enhancing agent for MR use. It is generally administered by
intravenous injection.
If you have any of the following please call the MRI department, if you are to receive MRI contrast. -Renal disease, including solitary kidney, renal transplant, or renal tumor -Over 60 years of age -History of hypertension -History of diabetes -History of severe hepatic disease or liver transplant.
If ANY of the above are true, the patient will need to have a Creatine with GFR (make sure you write GFR on the lab slip) within 6 weeks of the MRI, to receive MRI contrast. It cannot be older than 6 weeks.
|
| Q |
|
How
will I feel after the exam? |
| A |
|
You
should feel perfectly normal and be able to resume your everyday
activities, unless you were sedated. Patients who take/receive
sedation will receive discharge instructions at the time of
their exam.
|
