For questions regarding MRI, please call (216) 778-3456.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) produces detailed images of the body using magnetic fields, radio waves, and considerable computer technology - there is no ionizing radiation. MRI allows noninvasive diagnoses of a wide variety of brain, spine, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, abdominal, and pelvic disease processes. MRI's diagnostic capacities contribute to accurate, efficient patient diagnostic evaluations, which translate into decreased overall costs and length of hospitalizations. MetroHealth's Department of Radiology's Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has built a reputation for providing highest quality diagnostic MRI services utilizing the most recently developed techniques.

Services

The MRI staff performs more than 3,500 examinations per year on hospital inpatients and outpatients. The facility operates approximately 90 hours a week, with convenient evening and weekend hours for outpatients. We also routinely provide regular examination slots for scheduled sedation cases, and additional sedation services are available as needed. The MRI-compatible, in vivo patient monitoring system provides the highest level of patient monitoring capabilities, including an MRI-compatible ventilator and anesthesia machine, which provide the MRI facility with the ability to safely handle the most difficult patient sedation cases, general anesthesia cases, and ventilator-dependent intensive care unit patients. There is full-time nursing support for patient care. The MRI Section has two new state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla scanners with the capability of performing a full range of the latest MRI and MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) techniques.

We are an accredited facility through the American College of Radiology MRI Accreditation Program.

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 7:30 am to 4 p.m.
Staff is available for on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans.

Personnel

We employ full-time American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Registered technologists, averaging over nine years of experience each.

MRI Procedures

The MRI section provides scanning capabilities for all areas of the body including, head, spine, extremities, abdomen, chest, and pelvis. Magnetic Resonance Angiography is also available for head, neck, chest, abdomen and peripheral studies. Magnetic Resonance Arthrogram studies of the joint spaces are also performed.

Facts About MRI

• Your doctor must order the MRI exam.
• There is no prep for an MRI scan unless a patient is being sedated.
• The average MRI exam takes about 45 minutes.
• A contrast injection may be required especially for MRI of the brain and MRA exams.
• A blood test may be done prior to a contrast injection study to check for sufficient renal function.
• An MRI safety form must be filled out prior to entering the magnetic field. Certain implants are not compatible with MRI.
• Patients with cardiac pacemakers may not have an MRI exam due to the strong magnetic field.
• You must change into a patient gown and remove all jewelry and hair pins.
• To achieve a quality study, the patient is required to lie very still for the entire exam.
• A friend or relative may stay with the patient during the exam.
• The exam is very noisy so the patient will be provided with earplugs/music.
• The procedure involves being placed in a five-foot tunnel that is open at both ends. If you are claustrophobic, you may require medication to relax you for the procedure.
• Two of our units are special short-bore magnets which are designed to reduce the likelihood of claustrophobia.
• We have an open MRI scanner to accommodate larger patients.
• Your doctor will receive the results usually within 2-3 business days.