• Patient Preparation: There are no dietary restrictions. Patients are asked to take their usual medications, wear comfortable clothing without metal and leave jewelry at home.
• Patient Sedation: If necessary, mild sedation is available. Sedated patients will not be permitted to drive themselves home.
• Patients must bring all reports and films pertaining to or related to this exam.
  

Exam Day:

• When it is time for your exam, the technologist will explain the exam to you, ask you several questions and answer any questions you may have.
• You will be required to remove any metallic objects (jewelry, glasses, clothing with zippers) and possibly put on a patient gown.
• If your exam requires contrast, you will be asked to sign a consent form. You will be placed on a table and guided into the machine.
• During the exam, you will hear knocking or thumping sounds. Sometimes this can be noisy, but earphones and music are available to help reduce the sound. You can bring a CD or cassette tape to listen to.
• Please be advised that you must lie still during the scan. There are microphones inside the machine so the technologist can communicate with you when needed.
• The exam takes from 20 minutes to an hour. When the exam is completed, the technologist will assist you off the table and you may dress and leave.

Results will be forwarded to your physician, who will explain them to you.

Please let us know if you have a pacemaker, any metallic foreign bodies or if you are claustrophobic.