• Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your appointment and bring your referral. If you need to reschedule or cancel, call 24 hours in advance.
• Because an MRI uses a powerful magnet, there are several steps we need to take to insure your safety, including making sure there is no metal in or on your body when you undergo the scan.
• If you have a cardiac pacemaker or implanted cardiac defibrillator, you cannot undergo an MRI.
• Do not wear any metal on your body including jewelry, watches, hairpins, barrettes, etc. You will be asked to remove your glasses, hearing aids, non-permanent dentures and other metal dental appliances like retainers, hairpieces with metal clips, and any other metal items before your exam.
• Let us know if you have ever had a gunshot wound or have shrapnel in your body.
• Before your exam, let us know if you have any implants or prosthetic devices, especially:
• Any kind of metal implant, pins, screws, or clips
• Artificial heart valves
• Artificial limbs
• Cochlear, otologic, or ear implants
• Brain aneurysm clip
• Cardiac stents
• Transdermal medication patches
• Stimulators or implanted drug infusion pumps
• Harrington rods or prosthesis
• Metal in your eye or tattoo eyeliner
• IUD or diaphragm
• Tell us if you are or may be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.
• Let us know what medications you take, including non-prescription medicines and supplements. Also let us know if you are allergic to contrast medium (dye).

Special instructions for liver, kidney, adrenal, gallbladder and pancreas MRI exams

• Do not eat or drink for 4 hours before the exam.

Special instructions for breast MRI exams

• Bring any mammogram films and reports that have been performed by other radiology groups.

Special instructions for MR Arthrography

• If you are taking Coumadin (a blood thinning medication), arrange with your doctor to stop taking the medication 1 - 2 days before your MR Arthrography appointment.
• Ask your physician to arrange an INR (International Normalized Ratio) blood test before your appointment. If the result is above 1.5, you will need to reschedule your appointment. Please bring your blood test results with you.
• If you are taking aspirin or other NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Motrin, Aleve, or Naprosyn, stop taking it 3 days before your appointment.