MRI
The Yuma Radiology Department provides a full spectrum of patient imaging using
traditional MRI equipment. MRI scans are offered for both inpatient and
outpatients five-days-a-week.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable diagnostic test that allows
radiologists to see areas of the body which cannot be seen using conventional
x-rays. MRI does not use x-ray radiation. Instead, a computer creates detailed
cross-sectional tissue "slice" images from data generated by a powerful magnetic
field and radio waves. The computer creates 3-D images that can be viewed from
any angle.
Because certain medical devices can be affected by the magnet, patients with
pacemakers, defibrillators and some other implanted devices are excluded form
undergoing MRI exams.
MRI is used extensively to diagnose injuries and conditions related to the
brain, neck, spinal cord and soft tissues. It is also especially useful for
evaluating medical conditions involving joints, muscles and bones.
MRI technology is also capable of imaging flowing blood in virtually any part of
the body. This allows technicians to perform studies that show the arterial
system in the body, but not the surrounding tissue. In many cases, the MRI
system can do this without a contrast injection, as is required in vascular
radiology. To enhance certain other types of diagnostic studies, however, a
contrast medium may be injected into a vein.
During your exam, which may take 15 minutes to an hour, you lie on a movable
table inside the scanner. Because the scanner makes loud knocking noises while
it takes pictures, you may be given earplugs or headphones with music to lessen
the sound. Patients utilizing the traditional MRI scanner sometimes experience
claustrophobia. Medications are available to help. If you are wearing anything
metallic, such as jewelry, dentures, eyeglasses, or hearing aids that might
interfere with the MRI scan, we will ask you to remove them.
MRI Preps-
Abdomen Exam
1. Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your exam.
All of Yuma’s MRI technologists are credentialed by the American Registry of
Radiologic Technologists.
