Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radio waves (no
radiation) to create an image of many parts of the body, especially
the brain, spine, and joints.
Lawrenceville Health Imaging utilizes the Philips Intera short bore
open magnet, which represents the highest advances in MRI technology,
including the most recent, sophisticated diagnostic software upgrades.
These software upgrades will allow us to perform any exam for your physician
ranging from neuro, musculoskeletal, and abdominal imaging to advanced
cardiac (heart) studies and contrast-enhanced angiography. Our Philips
MRI will make you feel at ease with its extra spacious design. In fact,
our MRI is wide enough to accept patients who weigh up to 550 pounds.
To add further comfort, you may have a family member or friend sit in
the room with you.
A typical exam will last between 30 and 60 minutes and requires no special
preparation. You should eat normally and follow the normal dosage of
your prescribed medications unless your doctor gives instructions to
do otherwise. For more information about your MRI procedure, see the
Exam Preparation, What
to Expect, and Frequently Asked Questions
pages.
Computed
Tomography (CT) , widely known as a CAT scan, is medically referred
to as simply CT. In its early days of development and use, it was called
Computerized Axial Tomography, hence the term CAT. At Lawrenceville
Health Imaging, we have the GE Brightspeed Elite 16 slice CT scanner.
CT is generally a relatively quick procedure that uses x-ray beams to
create computer-generated image of soft tissue structures, such as tumors
and internal organs, and air cavities (sinuses, lungs). It also has
advantages in skeletal and neurological imaging. Its radiation doses
to the human body are considered minimal due to the speed in which the
X-Ray is delivered.
The procedure requires you to lie in a horizontal position, either on
your back or stomach, and remain comfortably still. A flat, moving table
goes through the center of a donut-shaped x-ray machine. X-ray beams
from a number of positions are aimed at the area being studied. A special
detector measures the amount of absorbed radiation. This data is transformed
by a computer into a digital image.
For
more information about your CT procedure, see the Exam
Preparation and Frequently Asked Questions
pages.
