Community Imaging Center (MRI)
The Community Imaging Center is a leader in diagnostic imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). At Long Beach Community Medical Center, we blend the comfort and convenience of an outpatient setting with the assurance and support associated with an acute care facility.
What is MRI?
MRI is a painless technology that allows a physician to explore the inner workings of the human body and may represent the most significant advancement in medicine since the discovery of the X-ray. MRI combines the sophisticated knowledge of a computer with safe magnetic and radio waves to create extremely detailed images of internal organs and soft tissues.
MRI is made possible through the interaction of hydrogen atoms, radio waves and magnetic fields. Select atoms in the human body align when the patient is placed inside a large magnet located in the scanning room. Radio waves disrupt this alignment and tiny radio signals are emitted by the atoms as they return to their position. The distinctive signals emitted by healthy and abnormal tissues are converted via computer into images, which provide the radiologist with comprehensive data. Imaging results are reported to your personal physician following this review and interpretation by a Community Imaging Center radiologist.
The highly-skilled imaging team at the Community Imaging Center has many years of training and expertise in this highly specialized field. The superb quality of MRI images produced at high fields gives your doctor anatomical and biochemical information that can provide new insight into the nature of the human body and the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. For example:
- MRI can evaluate the range of neural diseases from brain tumors to multiple sclerosis.
- MRI also can optimally image other body parts such as shoulders, knees, hips, ankles, and the pelvis.
- MRI is advancing the ability to image blood vessels and promises to be an important tool for evaluating some types of heart disease.
Preparing for Your Examination
Although MRI is considered a virtually risk-free procedure, there are some limitations. Pregnant women generally should not undergo MRI unless no other diagnostic option is available. Patients suffering from dementia or claustrophobia may find it difficult to remain immobile in the magnetic tunnel during scanning.
While we will make every effort to call you prior to your appointment to verify your medical history, please contact your personal physician before your exam if you have any questions. Patients with the following are generally not suited for MRI:
- middle ear prostheses
- cochlear implants
- cardiac pacemakers
- some shrapnel fragments
- some metallic intracranial clips
- insulin pumps
- neurostimulators
- bone stimulators
- some metal rods or plates
- a history of working with sheet metal
The Day of Your Exam
Although your exam should take less than one hour, plan to be at the Community Imaging Center for two hours. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment to meet the staff and complete any necessary paperwork.
Follow your normal routine the day of your MRI exam. Eat lightly, and take any medication you regularly take unless instructed not to by your doctor. Make sure not to wear any make-up, because some products may contain metallic particles.
Leave most of your personal possessions (except your insurance card and MRI prescription) at home. We do have small storage lockers for any necessary personal belongings (such as jewelry or credit cards) that would otherwise interfere with the MRI scan. After completing the admitting paperwork, you will be escorted to a changing area where you will change into a patient gown for your examination.
MRI Exam
The actual procedure will be performed in the MRI examination room, which is occupied by a large magnet. You will be asked to lie flat on a padded examination table designed to slide into the center of the magnet. Although the MRI unit looks imposing, the procedure itself is quite simple and safe. Rest assured, at all times, you will be in communication with the MRI technologist. You only need to relax and try to remain as still as possible during the entire exam.
For your comfort, bring in your favorite audio cassette tape to listen to during your exam. Then, just lie back and relax. You'll feel nothing unusual during the exam. Depending on the type of exam, you may be aware of "thumping" sounds, which signify that the MRI magnet is operating normally.
