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FAQs MRI
| FAQs CT
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FAQs Bone
Density |
FAQ
Ultrasound |
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) is one form of imaging modality
used by physicians to look inside the
human body to obtain clinically useful
diagnostic information. Incorporating an
advanced technology, MRI produces images
of the anatomy without the use of
radiation
required with other imaging modalities
such as X-ray and CT scanning.
MRI is a non-invasive
procedure with no known side or after effects. The procedure is
painless. A faint knocking sound will be heard, which is
simply the imaging process in operation. The procedure is used for all
parts of the body and is effective in evaluating:
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Brain disorders |
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Traumatic injuries |
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Eye abnormalities |
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Spine diseases |
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Tumor detection |
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Liver and other abdominal
diseases |
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Knee and shoulder injuries |
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Musculoskeletal disorders |
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Facial/Neck abnormalities |
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Infection |
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Cardiac malformations |
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Blood flow and vessel
disorders |
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How does MRI operate, and what should
you expect?
MRI images are formed when
signals, emitted by body tissue, are processed by software and turned
into clinical images.
A typical procedure
averages 30 minutes depending on the type of information required by
your physician. You can help to make your images spectacular by simply
relaxing and remaining as still as possible during the exam.
In fact, some patients fall asleep during the MRI exam.
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2 Radio frequency
waves are absorbed by the protons and then emitted as a signal |
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3. A radio frequency
coil picks up the signal and transmits it to the computer. |
| 1. The
magnetic field is used to align hydrogen protons in the body |
4. The
computer processes the data and an image is generated. |
During your MRI
examination, a technologist will be with you and will be able to see you
at all times. For your convenience, an intercom system is built
into the MRI imager so that if you need anything, the technologist will
be right there.
In certain instances, a
contrast agent may be administered to enhance the study. There are no
extra precautions if your physician requires this type of study. Consult
the physician or technologist if you have any questions.
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How is an Open
High-Field MRI different from other MRI machines?
The Open High-Field MRI
is the first machine of its kind to combine the same advanced technology
that is present in a closed MRI but has a completely open
environment allowing for maximum patient comfort.
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Is an Open
High-Field MRI safer than other MRI machines?
The Open High-Field MRI is the safest MRI machine in the industry. This
is because the magnetic field is vertically oriented rather than
horizontally oriented (as is the case of closed MRI's). This helps to
prevent any risk of metal objects accidentally being sucked into the
magnet.
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Is there any weight
limit for patients?
Our open High-Field MRI has virtually no weight limit and has the
largest opening in the industry to accommodate patients of all sizes.
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You may also be asked to remove make-up and dentures and to wear a
hospital gown to avoid magnetic interference from belt buckles and
zippers.
Check with your physician
or MRI technologist if you have had any brain, ear, eye or other
surgeries or any of the following:
If you are pregnant,
please notify the technologist or the radiologist.
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What is ultrasound? |
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Ultrasound (US),
also called sonography, is a
method of dynamically imaging
the human body through the use
of high-frequency sound waves. A
microphone-like instrument
(transducer) is scanned over the
skin. Gel is placed on the skin
to improve the contact of the
transducer to the area being
examined. The sound waves are
recorded and displayed as a
real-time visual image. US can
be used to examine many parts of
the body including the abdomen,
pelvis and blood vessels, as
well as the fetus during
pregnancy. Because no ionizing
radiation (x-ray) is involved,
ultrasound is an extremely safe
imaging modality. The procedure
is painless and generally takes
about 30 to 45 minutes to
complete. |
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How does the procedure work? |
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Ultrasound
imaging is based on the same
principles involved in the sonar
used by bats or ships at sea. As
the sound passes through the
body, echoes are produced that
can be used to identify how far
away an object is, how large it
is, its shape and its
consistency (fluid, solid or
mixed). The ultrasound
transducer functions as both a
generator of sound (like a
speaker) and a detector (like a
microphone). When the transducer
is pressed against the skin it
directs inaudible,
high-frequency sound waves into
the body. As the sound echoes
from the body’s fluids and
tissues the transducer records
the strength and character of
the reflected waves. These
echoes are instantly measured
and displayed by a computer,
which in turn creates a
real-time picture on the
monitor. The "live" images of
the examination are usually
recorded on videotape but one or
more frames of the moving
picture may be "frozen" to
capture a still image. |
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What are the common uses of
this procedure? |
As a diagnostic
tool, ultrasound has a wide
variety of uses in medicine,
including:
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of veins and arteries to see
and evaluate blockages to
blood flow |
| Examining
many of the body's internal
organs, including the heart,
liver, gallbladder, spleen,
pancreas, kidneys and
bladder |
| Examining
the neck to help diagnose
thyroid abnormalities
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Monitoring fetal development
and accessing fetal
abnormalities |
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Determining the cause of
pelvic pain, abnormal
bleeding and other menstrual
problems |
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Investigating uterine
abnormalities in women who
experience infertility or
multiple miscarriages
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| Imaging
the breast and to guide
biopsy in breast cancer
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Evaluating the prostate
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Determining the source of
pain, swelling or infection
in many parts of the body
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| Assessing
organ damage following
illness |
| Revealing
the shape, texture and
composition of tumors and
cysts |
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What are the benefits of
ultrasound? |
Ultrasound
imaging offers these benefits:
| Provides
a simple, painless and
noninvasive imaging method
for viewing structures
within the body |
| Uses no
ionizing radiation (x-rays)
and is the preferred image
modality for diagnosis and
monitoring of pregnant women
and their unborn infants
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| Produces
real-time imaging, making it
a good tool for guiding
minimally invasive
procedures such as needle
biopsies |
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Visualizes structure,
movement and live function
in the body's organs and
blood vessels |
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Is
ultrasound safe? |
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Since ultrasound
emits no x-rays, it is very
safe. There are no known risks
or side effects associated with
diagnostic ultrasound |
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What are the limitations of
ultrasound imaging? |
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Ultrasound has
difficulty penetrating bone and
therefore can only see the outer
surface of bony structures and
not what lies within. For
visualization of bone, other
imaging modalities such as
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
may be selected. Because
ultrasound waves do not pass
through air, an evaluation of
the stomach, small intestine and
large intestine may be limited.
Intestinal gas may also prevent
visualization of deeper
structures such as the pancreas
and aorta. Obese patients are
also more difficult to image
because tissue attenuates
(weakens) the sound waves as
they pass deeper into the body. |
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