MRI Scan

Get care from an experienced team led by a board-certified radiologist for your magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at your local Adventist HealthCare imaging center.

What’s an MRI?

MRI is a safe, medical imaging test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create images of the inside of your body. MRI doesn't use radiation. But it may use contrast dye, which highlights areas inside the body in your test results.

Types of MRI Scans

You may have:

Breast MRI, which helps diagnose breast cancer and guide treatment
Diffusion tensor imaging, which looks for signs of brain trauma or tumors
Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) to check blood vessels and, in certain cases, do minimally invasive treatments
MR arthrography, which uses a contrast liquid to make bones and joints more visible
MR spectroscopy to look for tumors, infections or other problems in the brain
Perfusion imaging, which checks blood flow in the brain to look for signs of a stroke or tumor

MRI Scans for Children

Trust your child’s MRI scan to a friendly, expert team led by our pediatric radiologist. Count on our friendly staff to help your child feel at ease during the test, answer your questions and follow the highest standards for safety and quality.

Wide Bore MRI Machines

You’ll appreciate technology designed with your comfort in mind. Adventist HealthCare offers wide bore MRI machines. They provide accurate results as a regular MRI, but have a larger space inside to accommodate people of all sizes and help you feel more comfortable.

How to Prepare

When you make your appointment, ask your scheduler how to get ready for your scan. Tell your scheduler if you:

Are allergic to intravenous (IV) or oral contrast
Are breastfeeding
Are pregnant or could be pregnant
Have diabetes or kidney disease
Have any metal medical device implants, such as a brain aneurysm clip, cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker, or spinal cord stimulator

If you’re claustrophobic, ask your scheduler if a wide bore machine is available.

What to Bring

Bring the following to your appointment:

Any scans or reports taken outside Adventist HealthCare Imaging
Insurance cards and photo ID
List of current medications
Referral from your physician

Your MRI Appointment

On the day of your test:

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment.
Do not wear jewelry.
Wear loose-fitting, metal-free clothing.

You’ll complete a safety and medical questionnaire before your scan.

What to Expect

Before the scan, you will be asked to remove any eyeglasses, hearing aids, hair accessories or removable dental devices. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown, depending on the type of MRI scan. If your scan uses contrast dye, your technologist or a nurse will use an IV to inject it.

During the Scan

Your technologist will guide you to the exam table. The table will move you through the MRI scanner. Try to stay as still as possible during your scan so it can take the best pictures possible, and let our staff know if that’s hard for you.

For your comfort, you’ll receive ear protection to lessen the noise of the scanner. You’ll be able to talk to your technologist during the exam.

How Long Will it Take?

Your exam will take 30 minutes to one hour.

After the MRI Scan

Your scan is done on an outpatient basis. That means you can leave the imaging center and do your normal activities afterwards.

Your Results

Your radiologist will examine your test results and send them to your referring provider within 24 hours.