MRI
3T MRI
Computer Tomography (CT)
Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA)
Ultrasound
Digital Radiography/X-rays
MRI—Magnetic Resonance Imaging
General preparation tips
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled exam time to complete a medical history form. It is important to fill out all information on the form (surgeries, medications, etc.) so that UMI staff can determine its relevance to your specific exam conditions.
You will be escorted to a dressing room to change into a gown for your procedure. You will also need to remove all jewelry, body piercings, or clothing with metallic elements. Although lockers are provided, we ask that you leave your valuables at home. Your entire stay for the exam is estimated at 1 to 2 hours, including advance arrival time. Certain multiple exam procedures may take longer.
Metal objects and/or implants
As its name implies, Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses magnetic fields to generate its images. Metallic objects can significantly disrupt MRI imaging or even cause harm to you or the staff. Therefore, no metal (with the exception of specific internal implants) may be on your person during the exam. With this in mind, please notify the UMI Technologist of any artificial implants or foreign objects.
To determine MRI safety:
X-ray pictures may be taken to confirm presence or absence of metallic implants.
Contacting the surgeon and implant manufacturer may be required.
Head and neck MRIs require the removal of dentures or partials.
Claustrophobia
If you experience claustrophobia and would like sedation for your exam, please consult your referring physician to see if he/she will write you a prescription in advance of your UMI visit. UMI does not provide this medication.
Patients undergoing head scans will have a mirror to see out of the scanner. For other MRI procedures, you may request the use of prism glasses that also allow you to see outside the scanner, or we can provide you with a special blindfold. To increase your comfort, fresh air is constantly circulated throughout the lighted scanner.
Special conditions
Please contact us in advance of your appointment if any of the following conditions pertain to you:
If you have had spinal surgery in the past and are scheduled for a spinal exam.
If you require supplemental oxygen, please be advised that your breathing may not be assisted with an oxygen tank during an MRI exam.If you have artificial implants (pacemaker, aneurysm clips, etc.), please notify UMI the day prior to your appointment and bring your implant card with you to the exam. UMI is unable to accommodate patients confined to stretchers.
If you require a wheelchair, for patient and staff safety, you must be able to assist with transfer to the exam table.
If your weight exceeds 350 pounds, please contact us in advance so that alternative imaging procedures or locations may be discussed. The table used in the UMI MRI exam has a weight limit of 350 lbs.
Contrast injection
Certain MRI scans require an injection of an odorless and colorless contrast known as gadolinium. This injection is given in a vein, generally with a butterfly (very small) needle or IV catheter.
Side effects of this contrast are extremely rare, with the most common being a mild sensation of nausea (which passes after several minutes) and hives that might appear approximately 20 minutes after the injection. However, if you have severe asthma, are allergic to multiple medications, or have previously had an allergic reaction to MRI contrast, please contact our Nursing Department at 585.341.9230 prior to your appointment.
Please be aware that gadolinium is iodine-free. UMI routinely checks the results of recent blood tests as a precaution for those patients who are renal-compromised. If you are on dialysis, please contact our Nursing Department at 585.341.9230 prior to your appointment.
The contrast will not impair your ability to drive and will pass harmlessly in your urine within 24 hours after the completion of the exam.
For more detailed information on radiology procedures, please visit this informational site.
3T MRI
See How to Prepare for MRI
The preparation tips for 3T MRI are the same as for MRI. However, some implanted metallic objects that are considered safe in 1.5T MRI might not be in 3T MRI. Please contact our office for further instructions.
CT—Computed Tomography
General preparation tips
Many CT exams involve the use of common contrast agents. Here is what you need to know prior to your exam:
If you have severe asthma, are allergic to multiple medications, or have previously had an allergic reaction to X-ray contrast, please contact our Nursing Department at 585.341.9230 prior to your appointment.
Please be sure not to eat or drink ANYTHING (including water) for at least 2 hours prior to your scheduled exam time.
If you are taking a prescription for either Glucophage or Glucovance, do not take it on the day of your exam.
Please bring all relevant insurance information, referral paperwork, and copies of X-rays and/or prior exams.
For CT scans of all areas other than the abdomen or pelvis:
Please arrive at UMI no less than 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your exam.
The total length of your exam time is expected to be approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
For abdominal or pelvic CT scans:
Please arrive at UMI no less than 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time.
Please note that oral, rectal, or intravenous contrast may be used.
The estimated length of your entire appointment will be 60 minutes.
Special conditions
Please contact UMI in advance of your appointment if any of the following conditions apply to you:
If you are confined to a stretcher. UMI is unable to accommodate these patients and will refer them to a hospital or other appropriate provider.
If you require a wheelchair, for patient and staff safety, you must be able to assist with transfer to the exam table.
If your weight exceeds 450 pounds, please contact us in advance so that alternative imaging procedures or locations may be discussed. The CT table used by UMI has a weight limit of 450 lbs.
For more detailed information on radiology procedures, please visit this informational site.
CCTA—Coronary CT Angiography
General preparation tips
Avoid caffeine and smoking for 4 hours before the exam. If your heart rate is 60 beats a minute or higher, you may be given a drug to slow the rate in order to obtain accurate CT images.
If there is any possibility you are pregnant, please inform your physician or UMI Technologist.
What to expect.
After filling out your required medical history form, you will be given a gown to wear during the procedure.
A nurse will insert an intravenous (IV) line into a small vein. She will go over the procedure and check your heart rate. To obtain clear pictures, a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute is needed. Since the average person's heart rate is above 60 beats per minute, medication is often given the day of the test to achieve this goal.
When the necessary heart rate is achieved, the CT Technologist will have you lie on your back on the scanner table with your arms above your head and place heart monitoring leads on your chest.
Next, the table will move quickly through the scanner to determine the correct starting position for the scans. While the system is scanning, you will hear slight buzzing, clicking, and whirring sounds. These are normal and indicate that the scanner is taking pictures. The table will then move slowly through the machine as the actual CT scanning is performed. As the images are being recorded, an automatic injector machine connected to the IV will continue to inject contrast material at a controlled rate. Patients are periodically asked to hold their breath for periods of 20 to 30 seconds.
You will be alone in the exam room during the CT scan; however, the Technologist will be able to see, hear, and speak with you at all times.
After a CCTA exam, your intravenous line will be removed. The Nurse will monitor your heart rate until it is stable before you leave.
Ultrasound
General preparation tips
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the exam time to complete a medical history form.
The following Ultrasound exam modalities require no special pre-exam preparation: Arterial, Musculoskeletal, Scrotal, Transvaginal, Thyroid, and Venous.
Other exam types that require preparation include:
Pelvic: Please drink 32 oz. (one quart or four eight-ounce glasses) of water 1 hour prior to the time of the exam. This will ensure a full bladder, which facilitates a proper diagnostic setting. (If your bladder becomes painfully full, feel free to urinate just enough to be comfortable while still ensuring a full bladder for the exam.)
Abdominal: (Kidneys, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, aorta, and spleen): It is important that you take nothing by mouth (i.e., no food or water) after midnight of the evening preceding a morning abdominal Ultrasound. If the exam is scheduled for an afternoon, please be sure to fast for at least 4 hours prior to the exam. (Note: If the exam is called for under urgent conditions and the fasting guidelines cannot be followed, please notify your UMI Sonographer before the exam gets underway.)
Your entire stay for the exam is estimated at 1 hour, including advance arrival time.
About Ultrasound Gel
All Ultrasound exams at UMI use a warmed gel for patient comfort. The gel acts as a coupling agent, so that the sound waves emitted from the transducer can be efficiently transmitted and received to and from the body. Once the imaging is complete, the gel will be wiped off your skin. The water-soluble gel does not stain fabrics or skin. Also, because it is hypoallergenic, its use carries no risk of allergic reaction.
For more detailed information on radiology procedures, please visit this informational site.
General X-rays
General preparation tips
No special advance preparations are required for these simple procedures. For certain procedures, you may be asked to change into a gown.
Please don’t hesitate to contact UMI directly with any questions or concerns you may have.
If you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, please notify your physician and the UMI Technologist prior to your exam.
