Patient Preparation
You will be asked to change into a gown and asked to remove any metal objects, e.g. Hairpins, piercing, jewelry, watches, bracelets, bras, metal-based make-up or hearing aids. A locker will be provided to place your valuables in.
MRI Screening (Whole Body, Prostate, Liver Fat Quantification, Breast Implant Rupture)- You may eat prior to your exam, but refrain from any fluids 2-3 hours prior, as you will need to lie on the MRI table for an extended time
Prostate MRI Screening – Patients who have a history of prostate cancer or have had an inconclusive prostate biopsy do not qualify for this screening study.
Breast MRI Screening – Gadolinium based Intravenous contrast is administered. Fast for 4 hours prior to your exam. (Click here to ensure you qualify).
Coronary (Cardiac) CTA – Iodine based Intravenous contrast is administered. Fast for 4 hours prior to your exam. No caffeine or nicotine. Metoprolol 25mg the night before and also in the morning if needed (consult with your referring physician). Shave any excess chest hair.
Cardiac Calcium Scoring – No preparation needed for CT Coronary Calcium Scoring.
CT Lung Cancer Screening – No preparation needed for low dose CT Lung Cancer Screening.
Liver Fat Quantification MRI – No preparation needed for Liver Fat Quantification MRI
Magnetic Resonance
Imaging
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The procedure is completely painless. There is no radiation associated with this study. There are no known long-time risk factors with having an MRI. Many diseases, cancers, and other conditions can be detected through this study.
Contraindications to MRI
MRI machines generate strong magnetic fields. MRI safety is important and you may not be able to qualify for the MRI scan if you have the following:
- Pacemaker
- Aneurysm clips (if type unknown)
- Metallic foreign body in the eye
- Cochlear implants
- Deep brain stimulator
- Bullet of gunshot pellets – location dependent
- Any non-MRI compatible metal-based prosthesis
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
Computed Tomography is commonly referred to as at CT scan or CAT scan. A CT scan is essentially multiple x-ray images from various angles and like x-ray utilizes ionizing radiation. The only enhanced screening study we perform utilizing a CT scan is Coronary (Cardiac) CTA, Cardiac Calcium Scoring, and CT Lung Cancer Screening. All other enhanced screening studies are performed utilizing MRI.
Prevention involves many different things:
- Making healthy lifestyle adjustments: exercising, maintaining a well-balanced diet, avoiding tobacco use
- Keeping up with medications for chronic conditions
- Getting regular health checkups and screenings
- Detecting disease through screening may help to facilitate early intervention, improve the quality of your life, and even save your life
Results
Results will be provided to you and your referring physician for review.
A normal enhance screening scan does not guarantee that you do not have any disease/cancer. No medical study is 100% perfect, cancer can be tiny/occult and may not detectable by imaging until it reaches a certain size.
Sometimes a enhance screening scan may detect false positives and cause anxiety, these are abnormal growths concerning for cancer which after further testing prove to be nothing worrisome.
