|
|
|
NeuroSkeletal Imaging is dedicated to providing the patients and referring physicians of Central Florida the most advanced MRI technology in the world. Our facilities are among the very first to receive the latest and most advanced innovations available in our field. We currently have the most sophisticated 3 Tesla (3T) MRIs in Brevard and Orange counties.
|
|
 |
|
|
Super Strong 3 Tesla:
What does “Tesla” mean?
Tesla, often shortened to "T" is a term used to describe the
strength of an MRI magnet.
What's so great about 3 Tesla MRI?
3 Tesla MRI is the latest engineering revolution in MRI technology
which doubles the strength of the MRI magnet compared to other
high-strength systems.
Why does Tesla matter?
The stronger the MRI magnet, the better the images. With 3 Tesla, the radiologist interpreting your exam will be able to detect smaller and more subtle abnormalities that may be missed on weaker MRI systems.
How will 3 Tesla help me?
Because of the improved image quality, the radiologist reading your MRI will be able to make a more accurate diagnosis, which helps your referring doctor provide you with the best treatment.
Is an exam on a 3 Tesla MRI more expensive?
No. The charge to you and/or your insurance company for 3 Tesla MRI scans is the same as those obained on other MRI systems.
If I am claustrophobic, will a 3 Tesla MRI feel more confining?
No. The size of the 3 Tesla short-bore MRI is the same as other high-field MRI's.
Do I have a choice where I can get my MRI?
Yes. Most patients do have a choice.
What is MRI?
MRI uses a magnetic field in combination with radiowaves to create images of the body. The patient lies on a movable table, which is positioned so that the body part being examined is placed in the center of a doughnut-like cylinder.
The patient will be given ear plugs or headphones with music during the exam, which usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. A series of loud knocks will be heard during the MRI because of the machinery adjusting the magnetic field and radiowaves to obtain the best possible images.
Typically, the MRI exam will be made up of between 5 and 10 types of images, each taking between 2 and 5 minutes to obtain.
The patient will need to remain motionless during each of these image acquisitions. A small break of a few seconds will be given in between image acquisitions, but the table cannot be repositioned until the end of the exam.
Once the examination is completed, the patient is free to leave.
The images are then sent digitally to one of our subspecialty-trained radiologists for interpretation. The results are then mailed and faxed to your referring doctor the same day or the following morning. If it is an urgent case, you will be escorted to the waiting room, while our radiologist discusses the findings of the case with
your referring doctor, who will then decide the next plan of treatment.
Advantages of MRI:
MRI provides exquisite detailed anatomy of the human body.
There is no radiation involved with MRI, so it is considered safer than X-rays and CT scans. MRI is usually the modality of choice for imaging the brain, spine, joints, extremities, and often the abdomen and pelvis. Currently, CT scan is certainly preferred for imaging the lungs, bowel, and kidney stones.
Occasionally, after an MRI is obtained, a CT scan is needed to further evaluate a particular abnormality to improve the diagnostic accuracy.
MRI should not be performed if the patient has a pacemaker or is in the first trimester pregnancy. There are certain other conditions which may be unsafe for an MRI. Please read our "MRI screening form" to see if you are qualified for an MRI.
Preparation for your MRI:
No preparation is needed for most MRI's. However, if you are scheduled for an MRI of the pancreas or gallbladder (MRCP), please refrain from food or drink for four hours prior to your exam.
If you are scheduled to receive oral or intravenous sedation, do not eat or drink for 6 hours prior to your exam. Pediatric patients may have a few sips of water or juice 2 hours prior to the exam.
Arrive at our facility 30 minutes prior to the exam if you are to receive sedation or are having an MRI of your pancreas or gallbladder (MRCP).
Arrive 10 minutes early for all other appointments.
Please bring the following to your appointment:
1. Insurance card
2. MRI prescription form
3. Any old films of the body part being imaged
4. A list of your current medications
Back to top |
|
|
FAST, MULTISLICE CT
Our multislice CT scanners are not only fast and comfortable, but also provide exquisite image quality and detail.
What is CT?
CT uses a narrow ring of xrays and xray detectors to create images of the body. The patient lies on a movable table, which is positioned so that the body part being examined is moved through the center of a doughnut-like cylinder.
The exam usually lasts between 5 and 15 minutes.
Typically, the CT exam will be made up of between 1 and 4 series of images, each taking between 1 and 2 minutes to obtain. The patient will need to remain motionless during each of these image acquisitions. A small break of a few seconds will be given in between image acquisitions, but the patient cannot be repositioned until the end of the exam.
Once the examination is completed, the patient is free to leave. The images are then sent digitally to one of our subspecialty-trained radiologists for interpretation. The results are then mailed and faxed to your referring doctor the same day or the following morning. If it is an urgent case, you will be escorted to the waiting room, while our radiologist discusses the findings of the case with your referring doctor, who will then decide the next plan of treatment.
Advantages of CT
CT provides exquisite detailed anatomy of the human body. Currently, CT is preferred for imaging lungs, bowel, and kidney stones. For patients who cannot obtain an MRI, a CT scan may be an adequate substitute. Occasionally, if a patient has already had an MRI, a CT scan is needed to further evaluate a particular abnormality to improve the diagnostic accuracy.
CT is considerably faster than MRI and the CT scanner is usually slightly larger in diameter and shorter in length, thereby easily accommodating claustrophobic patients without the need for sedation.
Because CT uses xrays, there is a slight theoretical risk of too much radiation. However, this is only an issue if a patient is pregnant, a child, or receives numerous examinations. A CT scan can be adjusted to lower the amount of xrays used.
Please read our "CT screening form" to see if you are qualified for a CT scan.
Preparation for your CT:
If you are scheduled for a CT of the abdomen or pelvis, you must pick up two bottles of oral contrast fluid from our center the day before your exam. You must drink one bottle 2 hours prior to your exam and the second bottle 1 ½ hours prior to your exam. Do not eat or drink 4 hours prior to your exam.
If you are receiving intravenous contrast, do not eat or drink 2 hours prior to your exam.
Arrive at our facility 10 minutes prior to your appointment.
Please bring the following to your appointment:
1. Insurance card
2. CT prescription form
3. Any old films of the body part being imaged
4. A list of your current medications
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
MRI AND CT ARTHROGRAPHY
What is MRI/CT arthrography?
Our physicians are some of the most experienced and skilled at performing these tests used to show beautiful detail of the structures of joints.
MR arthrography is a technique of imaging the tendons and ligaments of joints (most commonly the shoulder, knee, and wrist) by injecting MR contrast fluid into the joint to be imaged. The actual injection often takes less than 5 to 10 minutes and is done under fluoroscopy to assist the performing radiologist in achieving a successful injection.
The pain is minimal because of the small needle size and the use of a local anesthetic. MRI/CT images are obtained both before and after the injection.
There are no restrictions on activities after the procedure. The fluid in the joint is naturally absorbed by the body of several hours. With MR arthrography, the diagnostic accuracy of an MRI/CT is markedly improved.
Back to top |
|
|
ONSITE SEDATION
Because our radiologists are always on site, they are able to provide oral or intravenous sedation when necessary.
Claustrophobia:
Claustrophobic patients are often anxious about the MRI experience, usually triggered by the thought of lying in a long narrow tube. However, modern MRI's have much shorter and wider cylinders than in years past, making the experience much more comfortable for claustrophobic patients. Sometimes, your head doesn't even need to be inside the gantry, depending on the body part being imaged.
Our radiologists will also prescribe oral or intravenous medication for onsite sedation. You don't need a prescription from your referring doctor or need to take medication in advance of your appointment. Simply tell your referring doctor or our office staff at the time your exam is scheduled and we will make the appropriate arrangements. Make sure to have someone to drive you home after your examination.
Sedation:
Sedation is a means of lowering the anxiety level and somewhat depressing the state of consciousness of a claustrophobic patient so that an examination can be completed without difficulty. This is usually indicated for MRI patients. We do not put patients "to sleep" as is done with general anesthesia.
Because we have the shortest and widest MRI scanners available in the world as well as the highest quality open MRI's available in the world, we find that many claustrophobic patients find the MRI experience at our facilities pleasant and non-anxiety provoking, even without medication.
Oral sedation:
For patients who have a mild to moderate degree of claustrophobia, we will prescribe an oral medication onsite 30 minutes prior to your exam start time with the permission and prior arrangement with your referring physician.
Intravenous sedation For patients who have a severe degree of claustrophobia, an intravenous agent is sometimes necessary. This will be administered onsite with the prior permission and arrangement with your referring physician.
Preparation:
Please do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to your appointment time.
Please arrive at the center 30 minutes prior to your exam. Children under 50 pounds should arrive 1 hour early. Make sure to have someone available to drive you home after your appointment.
Back to top |
|
|
|
 |
RAPID REPORTING
Once the examination is completed, the patient is free to leave. The images are then sent digitally to one of our subspecialty-trained radiologists for interpretation. The results are then mailed and faxed to your referring doctor the same day or the following morning.
If it is an urgent case, you will be escorted to the waiting room, while our radiologist discusses the findings of the case with your referring doctor, who will then decide the next plan of treatment.
Occasionally, patients will take their MRI films with them, based on the request of the referring doctor.
Back to top |
|
|
|
INSURANCE PLANS
Accepted plans:
We accept all insurance plans, except Florida Hospital, Health Choice and Health First. We work with all patients without insurance to achieve an affordable payment plan.
Insurance pre-authorization:
Our office staff will authorize your examination with your insurance company for you. The only time you will need to spend on the phone is when we contact you to get some basic information which usually takes less than two minutes. Simply bring your insurance card to your appointment. We take care of the rest.
Self-pay:
For patients who do not have insurance coverage or for examinations that are not approved by your insurance company, we will tailor payment plans to each individual depending on the type of exam needed.
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
WEB ACCESS
All of our images are digitally acquired, rapidly reviewed and stored on our secured achive server for immediate viewing by your referring doctors.
Using a unique user name and password, your referring physician will be able to view your exam images from his office computer through an internet link with our facility.
This will decrease the amount of time between the completion of your exam and when your doctor can view the images.
We also expedite the process by ensuring our radiologists reports are faxed and mailed the same day or next morning. Films are also delivered to your physician's office the same day or next morning at his/her request.
Back to top
|
|
|
SAME-DAY SCHEDULING
Our scheduling staff works hard to accommodate all exam requests the day they are requested.
All urgent scans are performed immediately.
When To Arrive For Your Exam Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your exam start time. If you are to receive oral or intravenous sedation, we please ask that you arrive 30 minutes prior to the exam start time. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING SEDATION, PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE AVAILABLE TO DRIVE YOU HOME AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT.
How Long Will the Exam Take?
Typically, an MRI will take between 15 and 30 minutes. If there is more than one body part being examined, an MRI may take up to 45 minutes. A CT scan will usually take less than 15 minutes.
Forms to Bring Please make sure to bring your insurance card and your exam prescription from your referring doctor to your appointment.
Back to top
|
|
 |
|
|
