Where: |  | You will report to the Outpatient registration area on the 1st floor of Park Tower, Oconee Regional Medical Center with your doctor’s order. Please report to registration 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. |
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Purpose : | | MRI is a scanning technique that allows your doctor to see areas of your body without the use of x-rays. With a large magnet and radio frequencies, we can provide detailed images of internal body structures. MRI is considered an extremely safe procedure for most people, but because of the high magnetic field and radio frequencies there are some people who cannot have an MRI (see below)
YOU CANNOT HAVE AN MRI:
If you have a cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator.
If you have cerebral aneurysm clips contact us immediately. Depending on the type of clip, we may not be able to perform an MRI. If you are pregnant or have any other type of biomedical implant, please inform us, because the MRI may not be possible. Also tell us if you had any brain, eye, ear or other surgery.
If you ever had exposure to metal fragments in or around the eyes, or work with metal such as arc-welding, grinding, drilling metal, tool and die work, please contact us.
If you are claustrophobic (fear of enclosed places), you may discuss with your physician if oral medication is necessary and should be obtained from your physician prior to the MRI. MRI cannot prescribe oral sedatives. |
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Preparation: | | When you arrive the technologist will ask you to fill out the MRI date sheet. For your safety, you will be asked questions concerning implants and metals. Once in the MRI unit you will be asked to remove all jewelry, watches, hair clips, dentures, glasses and hearing aids. |
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Procedure: | | The MRI technologist will help you on the scan table and position you for the exam. The technologist will give you a pair of ear plugs to insert in your ears. The table will slide into a cylinder shaped unit. There is an intercom system so that you can hear and talk to the technologist who is operating the scanner. During the exam you will hear a loud knocking sound, which is when you need to hold perfectly still. The study will take 30 to 60 minutes depending on the type of scan required. The scan is very sensitive to motion. If you move even a little during the scan, the entire scan may need to be repeated.
Certain exams may require an injection of contrast material (Gadolinium) to better visualize the area of interest. This requires and intravenous injection towards the end of the procedure. |
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After Care: | | The patient will be given aftercare instructions, prior the leaving the hospital.
The radiologist’s report of the results will be sent to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss the results of the test with you.
Please call (478) 454-3818 (MRI Department) if you have additional questions. |
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Reviewed: | | 12/31/2008
Copyright 2008, Oconee Regional Medical Center
821 N. Cobb Street Milledgeville, GA 31061, (478) 454-3505 |