| The MRI, CT and Ultrasound images taken during your exam will be reviewed by one of our Board Certified, on-site radiologists. Your scans will be analyzed and the results will be sent to your physician the next business day. Routine MRI, CT and Ultrasound written reports will be hand delivered or faxed to referring physicians in the San Gabriel Valley the day after the scan is performed. Films/CD’s and reports for referring physicians outside the San Gabriel Valley will be sent by Fedex and reports will be faxed to the office on request. Emergency studies or readings revealing serious findings will be called and/or faxed to the referring physician immediately. |
| MRI SCHEDULING PROTOCOLS – Open MRI vs. High-Field MRI |
 |
| Both of our MRI scanners provide excellent performance. |
 |
The open MRI is the most open design in the San Gabriel Valley |
|
The short-bore, high-field 1.5T MRI scanner is shorter in length than most 1.5T MRIs and has a large opening with the most “open” design of the high-field scanners in clinical use today |
|
The high-field 1.5T MRI scanner has the additional advantage of visualizing much smaller detail which can be critical, in some instances, to the diagnosis |
|
Additionally, because it acquires the images much faster than the open MRI, the high-field 1.5T MRI is preferable for patients in severe pain and those who have trouble laying still |
|
We have 25 years of experience on high-field MRI scanners and have developed patient-oriented protocols to ease even a very claustrophobic patient through the high-field MRI scan, when necessary.
The following are our standard scheduling guidelines*, taking into account the best MRI scanner for the type of exam ordered by the referring physician, the speed of the machine and patient comfort: |
Studies that require the high-field MRI scanner
(1.5T MRI): |
|
|
Temporomandibular joints
(TM joints) |
|
Brain – Sella |
|
Liver |
|
Pancreas |
|
Non-Brain MRA (i.e. aorta) |
|
|
Recent CVA |
|
Patients in severe pain |
|
Patients who can’t hold still |
|
MR Myelograms |
|
|
| Studies that can be performed on both the high-field MRI scanner and on the open scanner include the following: |
|
|
Brain |
|
Knee |
|
Wrist |
|
Shoulder |
|
Cervical Spine |
|
Thoracic Spine |
|
Lumbar Spine |
|
|
Small joints |
|
Hips |
|
Pelvis |
|
Abdomen |
|
Chest |
|
Internal auditory canals – IACs |
|
|
| Studies that are preferably done on the Open MRI scanner: |
|
|
Children |
|
Large-build patients over 275 pounds |
|
Patients with metal implants in spine or knee |
|
Extremely claustrophobic patients |
|
| *These guidelines are subject to change and will be updated when necessary. One of our radiologists is always available to speak to the referring physician in cases where there may need to be some adjustment to our scheduling protocols. |
| CT Scheduling Protocols: |
|
| The following CT scans require no special preparation before the scan: |
|
Cervical Spine |
|
Thoracic Spine |
|
Lumbar Spine |
|
|
Sinus |
|
Extremities (Legs, Arms) |
|
|
| CT OF ABDOMEN AND/OR PELVIS |
|
| Abdomen and/or Pelvis Exams are always scheduled with both oral and Intravenous (IV) contrast unless: |
|
We are looking for kidney stones - (no contrast is used) |
|
Patient is scheduled for CT urogram with IV contrast (NPO for 4 hours prior to CT. Drink 24 oz. of water 1 hour prior to exam - no oral contrast) |
|
Patient is scheduled for CT angiogram (no oral contrast prep - IV contrast only) |
|
The Patient's referring physician has indicated no oral and/or IV contrast |
|
| General Preparation for abdomen and/or pelvis exams with oral and/or IV contrast |
|
|
Do not eat for 4 hours prior to your appointment time, and drink only water during the 4 hours prior to your appointment time. However, you are allowed to take your daily medicines with a small amount of water. (Diabetics taking insulin can keep your usual routine, except no dairy products for 4 hours prior to your CT scan) |
|
We will need some blood tests prior to your exam - please call our imaging center for instructions |
|
| Oral Contrast Prep: |
|
Arrive 1.5 hours in advance of appointment your scan time for CT of the pelvis or abdomen and pelvis, and you will be given oral contrast to drink prior to the exam. Alternatively, you may pick up the bottle of contrast to drink in advance at home. Your arrival time will instead be 30 minutes before the scan time.
30 minutes prior to the scan time, you may be given more contrast to drink, and then one more cup just before scanning, depending upon the exam. This will ensure that the contrast will illuminate areas from the floor of the pelvis to the upper abdomen.
If your exam requires it, IV contrast material will be injected into a vein in your arm to better define the blood vessels and organs. This helps us to differentiate between normal and abnormal tissues. |
| CT OF THE ABDOMEN FOR KIDNEY STONES - (No contrast) |
|
| Nothing to eat or drink 5 hours prior to the scan time, except that you may have clear food/drinks such as water, Jell-O or applesauce - daily meds are ok with a small amount of water |
| CT OF THE CHEST with IV Contrast |
|
IV contrast material is injected into a vein in your arm to better define the blood vessels of your lungs and mediastinum.
Do not eat for 4 hours prior to the CT scan and drink water only during these 4 hours (Daily meds ok with a small amount of water) |
| CT OF CHEST, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS - with both Oral and IV contrastAbdomen and/or CT preparation above
Oral contrast helps us to see your stomach, small intestine and your colon (even if these organs are not the primary reason for your CT exam). |
| CT OF HEAD with IV Contrast |
|
Head CT scans are performed with IV contrast material. This intravenous contrast material is injected into a vein in your arm to better define the blood vessels.
Do not eat for 4 hours prior to the CT scan and drink water only during these 4 hours (Daily meds ok with a small amount of water) |
| NECK CT SCAN (SOFT TISSUE) with IV contrast |
|
Neck CT scans are performed with IV contrast material. This intravenous contrast material is injected into a vein in your arm to better define the blood vessels
.
Do not eat for four hours prior to the CT Scan and drink water only during these four hours (Daily meds ok with small amount of water) |
| A CT scan CANNOT be done at our imaging center on a patient with the following conditions: |
|
|
Pregnancy |
|
For IV contrast studies: Previous allergic reaction to iodine contrast |
|
For IV contrast studies: History of acute renal failure or uremia |
|
For IV contrast studies: Lab results indicating low creatinine levels – poor renal function |
|
