MRI

MRI at ZP

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology is the leader in MRI technology with 20 units, more than any hospital or outpatient radiology center on Long Island. ZP prides itself in investing in only the latest technology, like the 3.0 Tesla Wide-Bore Skyra™ MRI. Our 3.0 and 1.5 Tesla MRI systems provide a level of detail and clarity never before possible. They are designed to maximize patient comfort and ease claustrophobia. We offer I.V. sedation for patients with severe claustrophobia, uncontrollable motion and for children.

3.0 Tesla Wide-Bore MRI

• Ultra high magnetic field strength for unparalleled detail and clarity.
• 2.3 ft (70 cm) wide-bore design.
• Accommodates patients up to 550 lbs.
• Most studies are performed in under 15 minutes.
• Twice the resolution or twice the speed of any 1.5 Tesla unit.
• Five times the resolution or five times the speed of any Stand-Up MRI.
• Ten times the resolution or ten times the speed of all of the hundreds of outdated open sided MRI units that are still in use.

1.5 Tesla Wide-Bore MRI

• 2.3 ft (70 cm) wide-bore design.
• No need to squeeze your stomach or press your shoulders together.
• Unique short length with your head outside the magnet for 70% of studies.
• Five times the resolution or five times the speed of all of the hundreds of outdated open sided MRI units that are still in use.

1.5 Tesla ALO™ MRI (Arms & Legs Only)

• Engineered and specifically designed to evaluate extremities (knees to toes and elbows to fingers).
• Your head and torso remain completely outside the MRI.
• At 1.5 Tesla, it is still five times stronger than the outdated open sided MRI units.

What is an MRI?

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a safe and painless test that uses magnetism, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed images of your body's organs, tissues and structures.

There are no known risks from an MRI scan. It is non-invasive and does not expose you to any radiation. Therefore, the scan can be repeated without any known adverse effects.

MRI may be used to evaluate various parts of the body and determine the presence of certain diseases that may not be diagnosed correctly with other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or CT (Computed Tomography).

How do I prepare for an MRI?

When scheduling your appointment (online or by phone), provide us with your email address and we will send you personalized forms with your information already filled in. You will only have to update or add any missing information. If your email address is not provided, you can still save time by downloading the MRI forms and completing them prior to arriving at the office.

Notify our staff if you have any metal or medical/mechanical devices in your body. This exam may NOT be performed if you have a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, cerebral aneurysm clips or a metallic hearing implant.

You must remove all jewelry and any other metallic objects such as hearing aids, jeans with metal zippers, body piercings and removable dental work. Wearing a sweatsuit with no metal may prevent you from having to change into a gown.

Additional prep for MRI with I.V. contrast

If you have impaired kidney function, are diabetic or are 70 years of age or older, we will perform an i-STAT creatinine level at the time of your exam to assess your kidney function. It is important to inform us if you are taking the medication hydroxyurea when making your appointment. Keep hydrated before and after your exam.

Additional prep for MRI with I.V. sedation, click here.

Bring with you to the appointment:

• Prescription from your doctor.
• Current insurance card.
• Authorization number from your insurance carrier.
• Any forms you completed at home.
• Credit card or cash for your insurance co-pay.
• Any studies of the same body area that you have from another facility. We like to compare the new MRI study with any previous studies to assist in the diagnostic process.
• Picture identification.

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

How does an MRI work?

During an MRI scan, you are placed on a table which slides into a large doughnut-shaped magnet.

The MRI machine uses magnetic fields and radio frequency bursts to move the molecules in your body out of their normal alignment or their normal spinning pattern. As the molecules return to their natural positions, the MRI machine records that activity and uses the information to create detailed images of the organs, tissues and other structures inside your body.

The MRI scanner takes many very thin 2-dimensional pictures, which the computer can assemble into 3-dimensional pictures. This allows the doctor to look layer by layer at the area being scanned and provides greater detail to aid in the diagnostic process.

Since magnetic fields are used to produce the images from an MRI, metal in your body can complicate the diagnostic process. You must inform us if you have a pacemaker, defibrillator, cerebral aneurysm clips, implanted neurostimulators, cochlear implants, etc.

What happens during the test?

All metal must be removed before your scan including jewelry, dentures, eyeglasses, belt buckles and any clothing with metal zippers or buttons. Metal interferes with the quality and accuracy of the images captured during the MRI. If your clothing contains any metal, you will need to change into a gown.

The MRI technologist will confirm that you are free of all metal and review your medical history with you.

You will then be brought into the MRI room and asked to lie down on the scanning table. The area of your body being scanned will be comfortably positioned in or near a special surface coil. The coil maximizes the administration and recording of the radio frequency bursts and the magnetic fields to ensure the clearest possible images.

The scanning table you are lying on will be moved into the center of the magnet and the test will begin.  The machine never touches you. Be sure to remain as still as possible to ensure the best possible images. Although the MRI technologist cannot stay in the room with you during the scan, he or she will be able to talk to you from outside the room through an intercom.

Once all of the images have been recorded, the scanning table will move out of the MRI machine and the technologist will return to assist you off the table.

The MRI scan can take from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the area of the body being scanned.

For MRI with I.V. contrast

If you have impaired kidney function, are diabetic or are 70 years of age or older, we will perform an i-STAT creatinine level at the time of your exam to assess your kidney function. It is important to inform us if you are taking the medication hydroxyurea when making your appointment. Keep hydrated before and after your exam.

After reviewing your medical history, the nurse or technologist will place the intravenous needle/catheter into a vein in your arm or hand. Then at a specific time in the exam, contrast will be injected into your I.V.

The first set of images is taken without contrast. Then the dye will be administered and additional images will be taken.

For MRI with I.V. sedation, click here.

What will I do when I arrive?

Present your prescription, insurance card and completed forms at the front desk. If any additional forms are required, they will be given to you at this time.

Be sure to inform the receptionist, technologist and nurse if you:

• Have any compromised kidney function or a history of kidney disease.
• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
• Are currently taking any medications.
• Have any metal in your body.
• Have a pacemaker or an implanted medical device.
• Have hearing aids.
• Have any studies of the same body area from another facility. We like to compare the new MRI study with any previous studies to assist in the diagnostic process.

When can I expect the results?

Before leaving the office, you will receive a CD with the images from your MRI exam.

One of our board certified radiologists specializing in MRI interprets your images, compares them to any previous studies and dictates a report which is transcribed, proofread and signed.

The report is then faxed and mailed to your referring doctor within one or two days.

Your doctor will read the report and review the findings with you.

All of your signed reports and images are available to your referring doctor on our physician’s web portal.

3.0 Tesla Wide-Bore Skyra™ MRI

Advances in imaging technology during the past decades have been tremendous. As a result, not all MRI scans are the same. At Zwanger-Pesiri, you can be assured that we offer the latest technology in medical imaging. In fact, ZP was the first site in the U.S. to obtain the latest, most advanced MRI, the Siemens 3.0T Wide-Bore Skyra™, and currently operates four units.

The roominess of this 2.3 ft wide-bore design accommodates most body sizes and shapes (up to 550 lbs) and helps to minimize anxiety and claustrophobia. In addition, the super short magnet allows many studies to be completed with your head outside the bore. The Skyra™ MRI provides the fastest exams available, some as short as ten minutes. Patients enjoy a more comfortable experience and are assured that their physician is receiving the highest quality images available from the 3.0 Tesla magnet strength.

Read more about MRI at ZP.

MR Arthrography

MR arthrography helps in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears, adhesive capsulitis, tear of the rotator interval, disorders of the biceps tendon and impingement syndrome. It can also identify the presence of abnormal growths or cysts. If you experience joint pain, swelling or abnormal joint movement, your physician may recommend an MR arthrogram.

The shoulder is the joint most often evaluated by MR arthrography. This procedure is also used to identify abnormalities within the knee, wrist, elbow, ankle and hip. It also provides pertinent preoperative information with regard to the exact location of tears and grade of involvement of the biceps tendon.

At the start of the procedure, x-rays are taken of your affected joint using fluoroscopy to be compared later with the arthrogram. A local anesthetic will then be injected. After the area is numb, one of our board certified radiologists who specializes in MR arthrography will inject the joint with a small amount of contrast dye. The dye will distend the joint, while ligament, tendon and capsular anatomy are exquisitely imaged by MRI.

Once the MRI is performed, your images will be reviewed and interpreted by the radiologist. The results are then forwarded to your referring physician who will discuss the results with you.