Preparing for your MRI

🛡️ Preparing for Your MRI: What to Expect at LA Imaging Solutions

We want you to understand what to expect and feel completely comfortable about your upcoming MRI exam at LA Imaging Solutions. We are committed to making your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Before Your Appointment

• MRI Screening Questionnaire: Prior to your exam, you must complete our MRI screening questionnaire. This ensures our staff, technologist, and radiologist have essential information regarding any implants or medical conditions they need to be aware of. The questionnaire will be available before your appointment and during check-in.

• Diet and Medications: MRI usually requires no dietary changes or other special preparations. Unless you are specifically instructed otherwise, you can eat, drink, and take your regular medications as usual on the day of your appointment.

• Patches: If you wear a medication patch or a glucose monitoring patch, it must be removed at the time of your exam for your safety. Before your exam, please talk to your physician about removing and discarding your patch, and they can advise you about replacing it after the scan.

• Special Considerations:

  • If your doctor has prescribed medication to prevent claustrophobia, or if you have a pacemaker, please inform us as you will require additional time to prepare for the exam.

Arriving at Your Appointment

• Call to Reschedule: If you need to reschedule your exam, please call us at (504) 688-2MRI (2674).

• Running Late: If you are running late on the day of your exam, please call our office to see if your appointment can still be accommodated.

• Length of Your Appointment: Plan on at least 1 hour for your MRI exam from check-in to checkout, though most appointments are much shorter. If your doctor has ordered multiple exams, your appointment may take longer.

• Unexpected Delays: Sometimes we encounter unexpected delays due to emergencies or appointments that take longer than anticipated. We recommend leaving enough time between your MRI exam and other obligations. We also recommend bringing reading material with you in case you need to wait.

The Day of Your Appointment

• Check-In Procedures:

  • Radiology staff will verify your identification and confirm the exam requested.

  • You will be asked to change into imaging center clothing and place your clothes and belongings in a locker.

  • Leave valuables at home, including jewelry, as none can be worn during the scan and to prevent them from being lost.

• Hearing Aids: If you wear hearing aids, please remove them before entering the MRI scan room and inform the technologist when you have done so, as the magnetic field can cause damage.

• Contrast Agent: Some MRI exams include the use of an injected contrast agent to highlight specific features and aid in diagnosis. If contrast is needed, an IV catheter will be inserted into your arm by a nurse or technologist.

During Your MRI Scan

We use the Toshiba Titan 1.5T Wide Bore MRI for a more comfortable experience.

• Spacious Design: The magnet tube is open on both ends, the enclosure is well lit, and there is a fan for comfort. The wide bore is designed to help ease anxiety and claustrophobia.

• Positioning: The part of the body being scanned will be positioned in the middle of the machine. You will be required to lie completely still during the exam. You may be instructed to hold your breath for up to 30 seconds at a time, depending on the body part being imaged.

• Noise Management: During the actual imaging, you will hear loud, intermittent noises. You will be given earplugs or headphones to lessen the sound. Please tell the technologist if you have trouble keeping these in place.

• Communication and Safety: You can communicate with the technologist through an intercom system during the exam. You will also have an alarm button to alert the technologist to any significant discomfort you may feel at any point. If you are receiving an injected contrast agent, tell the technologist if you feel any discomfort from the IV.

After Your Scan

• Departure: Radiology staff will bring you back to your locker so you can change back into your clothes.

• IV Removal: If injected contrast agent was used, the IV will be removed from your arm before you leave the facility.

• Driving Restriction: If you took medication to prevent claustrophobia, you must have someone else drive you home.

• Post-Contrast Monitoring: Allergic reactions to contrast materials are extremely rare—but if you notice any symptoms such as rash, hives, or shortness of breath before you leave, notify the technologist or radiology staff immediately, or call your doctor.

Learning Your Results

• Radiologist Report: Your MRI will be interpreted by our radiologist, who will then write a detailed report.

• Accessing Results: After the report is finalized—typically within one to three working days—you can access the report and your images in the patient portal. Please note that because your results are available in the patient portal immediately after finalization, your care team may not have reviewed the report yet.

• Understanding Your Results: Your report may contain complex words and information. You can discuss your results with your care team at your next visit or by telephone. If you have specific questions, our radiologists are available during the workday. If you do not have a visit scheduled and need to schedule one, please contact your referring provider by calling their office directly.