FAQs

None. An MRI exam uses magnets to measure the small magnetic changes in your own body to generate detailed images. Magnetic resonance imaging does not rely on ionizing radiation.

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Most studies take 20-45 minutes. Depending on what part of the body is studied, it may take as long as two hours. When you schedule your appointment, the schedulers and technologists will be happy to explain your anticipated procedure time in more detail.

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Some people do get claustrophobic and are uncomfortable in the MRI machine. If you think this will happen to you, please talk about it with your doctor. He or she may give you an oral medication to take 30 minutes before the study to minimize the claustrophobic feelings that some individuals experience during an MRI examination. Usually this is all you need to overcome a claustrophobic reaction during the examination.

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Several of our MRI machines have large openings which result in a more comfortable exam, and less claustrophobia. If you do have claustrophobia or are uncomfortable fitting in a traditional closed MRI, an alternative is a new type of open MRI available now at Open MRI of the Rockies. This new high-strength open MRI will provide high quality images in a more comfortable, open environment.

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Specially trained radiologists and technologists will work with you to ensure that you have a comfortable, pain-free test. Sometimes this is as simple as helping you find a comfortable position while you lie down for the test. Depending on your condition, you may receive a shot, an IV medicine, or complete anesthesia. Our goal is for you to have your test as quickly and comfortably as possible.

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Our radiologists interpret all of your pictures and compare your current study with any previous radiology examinations. Our typed report is available to your doctor usually within one day.

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While the unit is scanning the images, the CT gantry rotates in a circle to allow the x-ray tube to image from all angles. There is whirring and clicking in the CT unit while the tube is rotating for the pictures. The table will slowly slide through the ring to allow the machine to cover the necessary segment of the body. If iodinated IV contrast is used, this may cause a warm flushing feeling through the body and occasionally a metallic taste in the mouth, both of which are experienced only momentarily.

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The CT scan itself usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you receive IV contrast, it may take slightly longer.

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New CT scanning machines are designed to expose to radiation only the small part of your body that is being examined. The amount of radiation you receive is comparable to the same amount you get for plain x-rays of the abdomen or spine, depending on what areas are to be imaged. One of our goals is to perform each CT scan with as little radiation as possible while still obtaining the images needed to make a diagnosis.

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If so, we do not recommend this test since there is exposure to radiation. If you are not sure, but think you may be pregnant, be sure to inform the technologist of this possibility before proceeding.

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As noted above, your examination may or may not require any pre-procedure preparation.

If you have a known allergy to iodine or iodinated IV contrast (dye), please call the facility where your examination is scheduled, and ask to speak with one of the radiology nurses at least one day before your CT scan. For CT studies, in which you will receive either IV or oral contrast, please do not eat or drink anything except for the oral liquid contrast for 3 hours prior to the study.

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If your CT study requires iodinated intravenous (IV) contrast (dye), you should speak with a radiology nurse the day before the study. Usually the study can be safely done with contrast even if you have an iodine-allergy history. Generally, we recommend treating you the night before and the morning of your study with several medications designed to decrease your chance of an allergic reaction. These medicines often include common histamine-blockers like Benadryl and Tagamet, and potent anti-inflammatory steroid medications. While allergic reactions to IV contrast can occur, trained physicians and nurses with necessary medications and equipment are always available to treat any reaction.

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Our radiologists look at all of you CT images and compare the study with any previous exams you may have had. Our typed report is available to your doctor usually within one day.

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If so, we recommend that your doctor obtain a blood test to show the status of your kidney function before you have the CT exam if it is anticipated that you will require iodinated IV contrast.

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If so, we recommend that your doctor obtain a blood test to show the status of your kidney function before you have the CT exam. If you take Glucophage or Glucovance for Type II diabetes, and we administer iodinated IV contrast for the exam, we will ask you to withhold your medication for 48 hours after the exam. You may resume your medication after your doctor checks a blood test to show that your kidneys function has not changed.

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It depends on what part of the body is examined. For chest x-rays, the amount of radiation a patient receives is very tiny—only a fraction of the amount of radiation a person gets while walking around in the sunshine over a year. Although still quite small, the dosage may be larger for other types of x-rays. For this reason, you only want to have x-rays if you really need them.

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No patient preparation is needed.

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Our radiologists interpret all of your pictures and compare your study with any of your previous examinations. Our typed report is available to your doctor usually within one day.

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Recommend reaching out to the facility it will be performed at for prep.

Please do not eat or drink anything on the morning of the examination. Even drinking a small amount of fluid on the morning of the examination is enough to prohibit adequate barium coating of your stomach, making the study of poor quality.

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Ultrasound uses sound waves and, hence, no radiation is involved.

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• Neck/Thyroid Ultrasound
  Please wear loose fitting clothes, especially a shirt or blouse with a loose-fitting collar. Necklaces and other such jewelry, which may limit access to the neck, should not be worn.
• Gallbladder Or Abdomen Ultrasound
  Please do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the study. This helps the gallbladder fill with fluid and makes it easier to see.
• Pelvis Ultrasound
  There is no special preparation. Previously, patients were asked to drink a large amount of water before the study, to make your bladder full; this is no longer necessary.
• Pregnancy Ultrasound
  Again, no special preparation is needed.

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Usually, tiny amounts of radioactive material are injected into the patient’s vein through a standard IV. Pictures are then taken with a Gamma camera (essentially a sophisticated Geiger counter) that measures how much radioactivity the area being examined is registering, ultimately generating images that reflect important functional anatomy.

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The amount of radiation the body is exposed to is very small. It is actually smaller than many types of regular x-rays.

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• Gallbladder Nuclear Medicine Study (A HIDA Scan)
  Please do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the study.
• Other Nuclear Medicine Studies
  If special preparation is necessary, we will explain it to you when you schedule your examination.
  

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Our radiologists look at all of your pictures and compare this study with any previous examinations you may have had. Our typed report is available to your doctor usually within one day.

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A DEXA scan is fast, safe and painless. You will lie flat on a special table. The radiology technologist (the specialist who carries out your scan) may use foam blocks to hold you in the desired position. During the exam, the arm of the machine will pass over you, taking digital images of your bones. The scan usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.

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DEXA scans are very safe. The amount of radiation used in a DEXA scan is lower than that of a typical X-ray. It is so low in fact, that the radiology technologist (the specialist who carries out your scan) can stay in the room with you during the test.

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Stop taking calcium supplements 24 hours before your test, including multivitamins and antacids (like TUMS or Rolaids). Wear comfortable clothes. You may be asked to remove clothes with zippers, belts or buttons during your exam. On the day of your exam, you may eat and drink normally.

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Our radiologists interpret all of your pictures and compare your study with any of your previous examinations. Our typed report is available to your doctor usually within one day.

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