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MRI
Advanced Imaging of Gadsden
offers the most powerful magnet for the best images and fastest exam times in
the area. Toshiba's 1.5 T Short Bore Vantage MRI system with noise-reducing
technology allows us to provide you with a quieter, more comfortable MRI
experience- and it's fast, with 18 times the signal to noise of other
machines in Gadsden. Our routine Lumbar Spine Exam is 7 ½
minutes- with 3 times the pixel count others take 45 minutes to
generate.
With every MRI exam we have two people to impress, you and your doctor.
Fortunately, Toshiba's new patient-friendly Vantage MRI system lets us do both;
you, with a quiet, comfortable, non-claustrophobic experience; your doctor,
with high-speed, high-resolution imaging that lead to faster,
more accurate diagnoses. Impressed? Have your doctor call us for your next MRI.
What is an MRI
Scan?
Magnetic Resonance  Imaging
uses a combination of a large magnet, radio frequencies, and a computer to
produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body without the use
of X-rays. Our MRI system offers a safe and fast way to get a clear picture of
your anatomy, which helps accurately detect and define the differences between
healthy and damaged tissues.
The revolutionary quiet imaging
experience
MRI noise can  vary
greatly among different kinds of systems. Some MRI systems can be as loud as a
jet airliner when it's landing-119 decibels.
That's why our Imaging Center offers the breakthrough technology of Toshiba's
Pianissimo, a feature that reduces scanner noise by as much as 99% (20 decibels)
without sacrificing image quality or scanning speed.
Patient-friendly Pianissimo
Vantage Technology for a new level of
comfort
Pianissimo reduces the anxiety of an MRI exam
by significantly reducing the exam noise to allow you to more comfortably relax
on the wider scanning table. And, unlike traditional narrower
and longer tube MRI systems that produce a more confined,
claustrophobic feeling, our MRI offers a shorter bore with a wider opening for a
less stressful scan. And it still gets better images in substantially less
time.
- Widest bore in the industry ensures convenient and easy table access
- Fast imaging minimizes the time you spend in the scanner (Lumbar Spine in
7½ minutes)
For more information on Patient Friendly Pianissimo Technology from
Toshiba:
Vantage, Click Here
Pianissimo, Click Here
Patient Comfort, Click Here
Benefits of MRI for your
doctor
Our MRI system offers the newest, highest quality  imaging technique your doctor requires. This provides your
physician with better views of your anatomy so problems can be found as soon as
possible. Image clarity is also enhanced through Toshiba's breakthrough
noise-reducing Pianissimo Technology since vibration is greatly reduced.
MRI-FAQs (Frequently
Asked Questions)
Is there any special preparation required
for MRI?
No.
What is
MRI?
Magnetic resonance
scanning or imaging (MRI) is a revolutionary technique that is capable of
getting accurate, detailed images of almost any organ in the body, without X-ray
or the injection of a radioactive substance. The procedure can yield detailed
images in three dimensions. MRI is generally regarded as the most significant
diagnostic technique since the discovery of the X-ray in 1895.
What are the diagnostic
advantages of MRI?
MRI images can
result in an early, accurate diagnosis, sometimes eliminating the need for other
diagnostic tests or exploratory surgery.
What can be seen with
MRI?
MRI can image bones,
tissues, and internal organs. For example, cancer, tendon damage, and
multiple sclerosis in its earliest stages can be detected and evaluated with
MRI. Unlike the CT, which uses differences in X-ray absorbtion (density) for
contrast, MRI contrast depends on the magnetic properties- essentially the water
content and state of hydration of the water molecules (whether thay are wrapped
around proteins, next to other water molecules, etc.). Some tissues of similar
density (muscle and tendon, for instance) have substantially different water
content and MRI appearance; other tissues (a brain inside the skull) are much
less dense than the bone protecting them and may suffer from artifact on density
dependent imaging which is not a factor with the MRI.
Can everyone be imaged on an MRI
system?
Almost everyone. However, there are some situations that might
make a scan inadvisable. These include patients who have pacemakers or metal
implants such as intracranial aneurysm clips. Other metal objects may cause
problems as well. All of these situations should be discussed with the physician
and/or technologist prior to a scan.
Can a pregnant woman be
scanned?
Yes,
if the physician feels that the situation warrants it. Scanning during the first
trimester, however, is generally not advised.
What does the patient do during an MRI
scan?
The patient
simply lies quietly on the scanning bed.
What does an MRI exam feel
like?
The
test is painless and non-invasive. There is no pressure, no probing. An MRI scan
is one of the most comfortable tests a patient can have.
Does MRI have any side
effects?
There are
no known biological, long-term side effects associated with an MRI
exam.
How is MRI different from
X-ray?
Unlike MRI,
X-ray uses ionizing radiation and is less effective at imaging soft tissue and
organs.
Does the patient have to do anything
special before the exam?
No. The patient can eat and drink normally, and take any required
medication. The patient can even drive to the test and in most cases can return
to normal activity on the same day.
How long does an MRI exam
take?
The
average Lumbar Spine exam takes around 7 ½ minutes.
How
many MRI studies have been done?
Since being introduced into clinical
medicine in 1983, over one million MRI studies have been performed
worldwide.
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