MRI FAQs
A: If you are scheduled for an MRI, our MRI Coordinator will call you a few days before the exam and ask you a few simple questions, such as: “Have you had heart surgery?”, “Have you had eye or ear surgery?”, “Have you had a colonoscopy or endoscopy in the past two weeks?”, and “Do you have any stents or shunts implanted in your body?” to list a few. The reason for this screening is to ensure that you do not have a metal implant or device which is not compatible with the magnetic waves emitted from an MRI scanner. Moreover, some tattoos or implants could be perfectly safe on one MRI machine, but could be incompatible with another MRI machine. The expertise of our MRI Coordinator will ensure that you have a safe and pleasant MRI experience.
A: Most people who have metal in their body after surgery can have an MRI. For example, patients with hip or knee replacements can have an MRI six weeks after surgery. Other implanted devices require less time after surgery. Certain devices can never go into the MRI machine and these include heart pacemakers, and some implanted pumps and nerve stimulators. Some brain aneurysm clips (particularly older ones) cannot go into the scanner. If you have had any prior surgery, you must let the technologist know prior to the scan. Also, if there is any chance there may be metal in any part of your body from a prior injury, from grinding metal, or another incident, please inform the technologist prior to the scan.
A: The length of the exam depends on the body part being examined, the strength of the scanner, and if contrast is needed. Most exams last between 25 minutes to one hour.
A: In order to get the best images possible, the part of the body being examined needs to be in the middle of the scanner. Therefore, if you are having a brain MRI, your head will be positioned in the middle of the scanner. If you are having an ankle MRI, your ankle will be in the scanner, but your head will not.
If you have severe claustrophobia, you can consider asking your doctor or healthcare provider for medication to help you relax during the scan. Please note that you will need to have someone accompany you to the exam who can drive you home if you take any medication.
RIMI has invested in special MRI scanners to help patients with claustrophobia. All four of RIMI’s 3T MRI systems have more spacious openings than traditional MRI scanners which provide greater patient comfort. Most 3T exams also have shorter scanning times compared to other MRI machines. Lastly, 3T MRIs provide the highest quality images available.
For patients who require true open-architecture MRI technology, RIMI has an Open MRI scanner in our North Providence location. This is the newest technology of its kind in the region and produces the highest quality images available.
A: Your MRI examination will usually be read within a few business days and sent over to your doctor or healthcare provider. Once they receive the results, they will typically contact you to discuss the results or they may schedule a follow-up appointment.
A: Yes. An MRI exam is comprised of a series of images. Each series takes 3 to 5 minutes. Any movement during this time causes the pictures to become “blurry” and limits the radiologist’s ability to interpret the study. Also, we focus the exam on a specific part of the body. If you move, the area we are focusing on may no longer be in the proper position.
CT Scan FAQs
A: Yes. A CT scan is made up of a series of X-Rays which are processed by a computer to produce cross-sectional pictures of the part of the body in question. These cross-sectional images allow the radiologist to look inside of the body just as one would look at the inside of a loaf of bread by slicing it. A CT scan is made up of a series of slices.
A: The “tunnel” is considered the opening of the CT scanner which is very different than a MRI machine. The CT scanner itself looks similar to a donut and is open in the front and back. Since the opening contains the X-Ray tube and detector which create the CT pictures, the part of your body being scanned must pass through it. For example, if your head or neck is being evaluated, then your head and neck will pass through the opening. If the scan is of your abdomen, then only your feet up until your lower chest will pass through the gantry.
A: Radiation safety is of paramount importance to RIMI. Our equipment and exam protocols are regularly evaluated to ensure that the lowest amount of radiation is used that will still result in the highest quality imaging exams. RIMI participates in national programs called Image Gently and Image Wisely to ensure we provide the safest exams possible.
A: For some CT scans, dye or contrast is injected into a vein. This contrast can help distinguish normal tissues from abnormal tissues. It also helps to distinguish blood vessels from other structures such as lymph nodes.
A: As with any medication, patients can have an allergic reaction to the intravenous (IV) dye or contrast. At RIMI we use the safest contrast agent available. Before each test, we screen all patients for specific risk factors to ensure their safety.
If you have had a prior reaction to IV dye, prior severe reaction to any medications/foods, or severe asthma with daily inhaler use, we will need to ask you additional questions or may reschedule your exam at a hospital after careful consideration by the radiologist and your healthcare team.
A: Your CT examination will usually be read within a few business days and sent over to your doctor or healthcare provider. Once they receive the results, they will typically contact you to discuss the results or they may schedule a follow-up appointment.
Mammography FAQs
A: Compression of the breasts is necessary for a good mammogram. It allows the radiologist, the doctor who reads the mammogram, to see the normal breast tissue better and to detect any abnormalities. Compression also lowers the radiation dose to the breasts. Women who have very tender breasts may experience discomfort. To reduce this discomfort, schedule your mammogram one week after your period when the breasts are typically not as tender.
A: Frequently, the standard images taken are adequate. It is common for the technologist to perform a few additional views if an area of tissue is not well seen on the standard views. In addition, the radiologist may request extra images to be taken to clarify an area of density or calcification seen on the standard views.
A: Some ingredients in deodorant can simulate calcifications in the breasts. When calcifications are seen on a mammogram, additional images will be needed to better visualize the breast tissue. Therefore, deodorant may result in additional and unnecessary images to be taken.
A: Mammography is the golden standard in evaluating the entire breast. Ultrasound is most commonly used as a supplementary exam for “problem solving” to further evaluate an abnormality seen on a mammogram, for a lump felt by the patient or their healthcare provider, or if the patient is experiencing other symptoms.
A: Since the risk of breast cancer increases with age, it is important to continue having mammograms every year. If a cancer is found, it is best to find it early when the cancer is typically most treatable. Many studies have shown that having a mammogram every year is the best way to catch breast cancers early.
Ultrasound FAQs
A: If the baby is in a good position for the sonographer to see the genital region, the baby’s sex can be determined. The sex can be determined as early as 14 to 16 weeks, although it may not be clearly visible until 20 to 22 weeks.
A: Mammography is still the best exam to image the entire breast. Ultrasound is commonly used to target areas in question on a mammogram, as well as to evaluate lumps or painful areas of the breast tissue that the patient or healthcare provider are concerned about.
A: A distended or “full” bladder acts as a window through which the ultrasound waves travel allowing the sonographer to visualize the pelvic organs. A distended bladder also displaces the bowel, which can prevent visualization of the pelvic organs.
A: Fasting reduces the amount of air in the stomach and intestines which can interfere with the visualization of the abdominal organs. It also ensures that the gallbladder will be distended so it can be thoroughly evaluated.
A: Your Ultrasound examination will usually be read within a few business days and sent over to your doctor or healthcare provider. Once they receive the results, they will typically contact you to discuss the results or they may schedule a follow-up appointment.
X-Ray FAQs
A: Yes. Please contact the office where your study was performed, our medical records department, or sign up for the patient portal to obtain a copy of your imaging report.
A: The body is a three-dimensional structure, but an X-Ray is only two-dimensional. Therefore, on a single X-Ray image the different parts of the body are superimposed on one another, or may overlap one another. By taking more than one X-Ray image in different positions, we can better visualize the bones and soft tissues to detect any abnormality.
A: Your technologist is not a radiologist who is a doctor highly trained in interpreting medical imaging exams. They cannot provide you with a true diagnosis of your X-Rays. When they are reviewing the images, it is to ensure the quality is good enough for the radiologist to interpret them.
A: A radiologist is a medical doctor with many years of subspecialty training to interpret X-Rays and other imaging tests. At RIMI, all of our radiologists are board certified by the American College of Radiology. Sometimes, your doctor or healthcare provider will request to see your X-Rays in addition to having the radiologist interpret the exam. In this case, you can take your CD with you after the exam or they can sign up for our provider portal.
A: Commonly, the report from the radiologist is sufficient. However, some specialists such as an orthopedic or surgeon may wish to see your images and will ask you to bring a CD with you. They may also be able to view your exam online using our provider portal.
A: RIMI offers many imaging services in addition to X-Rays, which utilize different equipment in different exam rooms. Another person in the waiting room may appear to have been taken sooner, but they might be having a mammogram, ultrasound, CT, or MRI exam and are therefore waiting in a different patient queue.
A: Your X-Ray examination will usually be read within a few business days and sent over to your doctor or healthcare provider. Once they receive the results, they will typically contact you to discuss the results or they may schedule a follow-up appointment.
A: Radiation safety is of paramount importance to RIMI. Our equipment and exam protocols are regularly evaluated to ensure that the lowest amount of radiation is used that will still result in the highest quality imaging. RIMI participates in the national programs called Image Gently and Image Wisely to ensure we provide the safest exams possible.