3T MRI at Franklin Woods Community Hospital

The 3T MRI is an extremely powerful diagnostic tool. 

The image quality of an MRI depends on signal and field strength. Thus a 3T machine provides an abundance of signal. 3T images can provide extremely clear and vivid images and can often be done faster, decreasing overall scan time- getting in and out faster. Both are of great value to our patients in terms of diagnosis and comfort. 3T is ideal for imaging small bones, breast MRI, musculoskeletal MRI, neurological MRI and vascular MRI, where the minute details are especially crucial to diagnosis. With that said, a 3T machine is not always the best for every kind of imaging. Ask your doctor which imaging will be right for you.

How does an MRI work? 

MRI is short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. To simplify a very complex machine, an MRI scanner is a very large, strong magnet. A patient lies in the magnet and radio waves are used to send signals to the body and receive them back. The returning signals are converted into images by a computer attached to the scanner.  MRI scanners come in different magnet field strengths measured in teslas or “T”, usually between 0.5T and 3.0T. They also come in varying sizes including, open and wide-bore.

The Procedure

You will be positioned on the moveable examination table and an open frame will be positioned around the body part being scanned. If a contrast material will be used in the MRI exam, a nurse or technologist will insert an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your hand or arm. You will be moved into the magnet of the MRI unit and the radiologist and technologist will leave the room while the MRI examination is performed. When the examination is completed, you may be asked to wait until the technologist checks the images in case additional images are needed. The entire examination is usually completed within 45 minutes.

What are the Advantages?

• Because MRI can give such clear pictures of soft-tissue structures near and around bones, it is the most sensitive exam for spinal and joint problems. MRI is widely used to diagnose sports-related injuries, especially those affecting the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow and wrist. The images allow the physician to see even very small tears and injuries to ligaments and muscles.
• Organs of the chest and abdomen — including the lungs, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas and abdominal vessels — can also be examined in high detail in MRI images, enabling the diagnosis and evaluation of tumors and functional disorders. MRI is growing in popularity as an alternative to traditional X-ray mammography in the early detection of suspected implant rupture.
• MRI contrast material is less likely to produce an allergic reaction than the iodine-based materials used for conventional X-rays and CT scanning.
• Exposure to radiation is avoided.

Metal and Electronic Implants

An MRI exam is safe, simple and painless. However, because some metal interferes with the MRI machine, a patient cannot be examined if he or she has:

• Brain aneurysm clips
• A pacemaker or pacing wires
• Metal fragments in one or both eyes
• An implanted spinal cord stimulator or brain stimulator

Day of your appointment

• Please arrive 30 minutes early to all MRI appointments
• What to Wear
  • Please wear clothes that are easy to change out of as you will be changing into a gown and scrub bottoms for your safety.
  • Also, you will want to leave all jewelry and piercings at home so they will not have to be removed before your MRI scan.
• Forms - NOTE: Filling out these forms before your appointment can reduce your wait time. You will still want to arrive 30 minutes early to your appointment with these in hand.
  • MRI Questionnaire (downloadable pdf)
  • Diagnostic Imaging Contract Registry (downloadable pdf)
  • Medication Reconcilation - Outpatient (downloadable pdf)

FAQs

• Will my head be going into the scanner? Whether your head goes into the scanner or not, is dependent on the body part we are scheduled to scan. The body part being scanned will be positioned in the center of the scanner, while the rest of your body may lie outside the scanner.
• If I am claustrophobic will I be given medication the day of the surgery by Franklin Woods? No, any medications needed to get you through the MRI must be prescribed by your doctor. Please take the medication as directed and bring the name of the medication to your MRI appointment.
• How long will my MRI scan last? On average, most scans take 30-45 minutes for a single scan MRI, but would increase for each additional scan. Upon arrival, your MRI technologist can give you a time estimate before your scan begins.
• Will the scanner move around me? No, the MRI scanner is stationary.
• Am I able to move during the scan? No, you must lay still during the entire scan.

Contact Information

Scheduling: 423-431-1709
Financial questions: 423-431-1776