Preparing for Your Exam

There are a few general guidelines that apply to all exams offered at Smart Choice MRI. Our staff will inform you of everything you need to know concerning your exam at the time of scheduling.

• Arrive 15 minutes early to verify your registration information and complete
  patient registration forms.
• Wear comfortable, metal-free clothing; be prepared to change into patient sweats if necessary.
  If possible, leave all jewelry at home.
• Bring prior MRI or CT results with you to the exam if you are instructed to do so.
• Notify your physician and Smart Choice staff if there is any chance that you may be pregnant or are currently breastfeeding.
• Medical Records and Results - We will send your exam films/CDs and reports directly to your physician within 24 business hours. Your physician will discuss the results with you at your next scheduled appointment.

Contrast Injection

If you are having a contrast procedure, our staff will notify you.

Contrast media is used to increase visualization of structures within the body, particularly structures that are vascular or vascular in nature such as tumors. The inside or "lumen" of vessels is not always well demonstrated on MRI and contrast allows this to be easily seen. In the case of vascular structures such as a tumor, the presence of vascularity is indicative of a malignant vs. a benign tumor.

MRI Contrast is a gadolinium-based liquid that can readily be seen using MRI technology. It is injected into the blood stream through an IV. It remains in the blood stream at a high concentration for about one hour and is completely eliminated by a typical patient in a few hours.

For patients over the age of 59 and any patient with known liver or kidney disorders or certain cancers such as myeloma, Smart Choice MRI requires a DYNA laboratory test to ensure safety. The test is quick and easy and can usually be done the same day as the MRI exam. However, since we do not perform the required DYNA laboratory test at Smart Choice, scheduling timelines may be affected. When you schedule your appointment at Smart Choice, the staff will let you know if you need a laboratory test before your exam.