MRI Services
at Scottsdale Healthcare 

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is an examination using a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of the body. The images produced help to detect and define differences between normal and abnormal tissue. Each procedure is tailored to each patient to better obtain their diagnosis. 

What to expect 

Before your exam can begin the technologist and or registration staff will have you fill out a MRI screening questionnaire regarding past medical history and conditions. There are certain conditions that would prohibit and MRI exam from being performed. A few are: cardiac pacemakers, some cerebral aneurysm clips, magnetic/electronically activated implants, shrapnel in your body or metal fragments in or around your eyes. Please bring any documentation from surgeries listing a specific device that was implanted. Not having this information at the time of your appointment may delay or cause your exam to be rescheduled or cancelled.
MRI Pre Screening Form

If conditions permit you to have an MRI exam you will be asked to undress so that there is no metal on or near the body. If you have removable dentures, jewelry, hair pins, etc. they have to be removed. You will be asked to lie on the MRI table on your back for most procedures. Every effort will be made to make you comfortable during the procedure. Certain studies may require the use of intravenous contrast to better enhance certain tissues or structures. Please be sure to tell the technologist performing your exam of any kidney problems you may have or have had in the past. MRI contrast should not be given to individuals with poorly functioning kidneys. 

If your physician has indicated that your child needs to have a test or a scan at the Diagnostic Medical Imaging Dept at Scottsdale Healthcare please call 480-882-4703. 

MRI exam’s available at our facility 

Abdomen MRI
An abdominal MRI exam will be ordered by a physician to look at specific organs in the abdominal area. Organs that are routinely looked at are the liver, the pancreas, the kidneys, the ducts of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas (known as a MRCP study) and the bowel (know as an MRI Enterography). 

Brachial Plexus MRI
A brachial plexus MRI exam will be ordered when a physician wants a detailed look at the nerves that start in the cervical spine and go into the right or left arm. 

Brain MRI
A brain MRI can show a multitude of different disease states that include but not limited to the following: New Stroke, Old Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Aneurysms, Tumors, Cancers, Metastatic Cancers, and numerous Infections. 

Breast MRI
Breast MRI has become an invaluable tool in the fight against breast cancer. Breast MRI should be ordered for any person that has been determined to be at high risk level for developing breast cancer and or for persons that have had a biopsy proven cancer of the breast from an ultrasound or mammogram. Breast MRI should be used in conjunction with mammogram studies and should not be used in place of a yearly screening mammogram study. 

Cardiac MRI
Cardiac MRI exams are able to get a large amount of information for your cardiologist in one exam. Information can be obtained about how well your heart is beating (ejection fraction), if you have damaged heart muscle from a heart attack or other disease, detect a leaky heart valves, detect and monitor childhood heart defects, and look at the overall morphology (appearance) of the heart in one exam setting that takes a little over an hour to complete. 

Lower Extremity MRI
MRI's of the lower extremity can range from a part of your foot, an ankle, a knee joint, a hip joint or an entire leg. Detailed information can be seen on the images that show ligament damage to joints, muscle tears and strains, small fractures, and infections that are not seen with other types of imaging exams. 

MRA MRV
MRA and MRV MRI's refer to a type of MRI that can see the flow of blood in the vessels of the body. The A in MRA refers to arterial and the V in MRV refers to veins. Your physician may order an MRA or MRV exam to help them determine if you have a blood clot or a stenosis (narrowed opening) of a certain blood vessel. 

Soft Tissue Neck MRI
A physician may order this type of MRI if they want to see all the soft tissues from the bottom of your eyes to the top of your chest. 

Pelvis MRI
A physician may order this type of MRI if they want to see female body parts such as the ovaries and the uterus. This exam may also be ordered get detailed images about the amount of infection in the pelvis or for a possible unseen fracture of a bone on an x-ray. 

Prostate MRI
Prostate MRI uses a special coil inserted in the rectum to get very detailed images of the prostate. Some pre exam instructions may be necessary before the MRI. Please contact the Osborn campus MRI department before hand (480-882-4705) for questions. 

Spine- Cervical, Thoracic, Lumber MRI
A physician may order a spine MRI if they suspect that you may have a problem with a disc, severe arthritic condition, nerve, or infection of the spine. Spine MRI's are able to get detailed images of non-bony tissues of the spine such as the discs, ligaments, muscles, and the spinal cord. 

TMJ MRI
A physician may order a TMJ MRI study if you have a problem with clicking or pain in your jaw. A TMJ MRI is able to get a detailed image of the cartilage of the joint in the jaw as the jaw is opened and closed in different positions. 

Upper Extremity MRI
MRI's of the upper extremities can range from a single finger, a wrist, an elbow, a shoulder joint, or an entire arm. Detailed information can be seen on the images that show ligament damage to joints, muscle tears and strains, small fractures, and infections that are not seen with other types of imaging exams. 

If your physician has indicated that you need to have a test or a scan at the Diagnostic Medical Imaging Department at Scottsdale Healthcare please call 480-882-4703.