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1341C Old Georgetown Road • Mount Pleasant, SC  29464  • Ph (843) 884-2175 •(800) 898-1294 • F (843) 856-7312

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the safest, most advanced way for doctors to view the human body without surgery.  Since MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves, which occur naturally around us, there is no exposure to ionizing radiation (i.e. X-ray or CT).  The MRI unit consists of a large magnet, antenna, and a computer.  During the MRI exam, the hydrogen atoms in you body receive radio signals from the MRI unit.  These signals, which are totally harmless, are returned by your body and processed by the computer.  These images are then interpreted by our Radiologist.
 

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is an MRI study of the vessels in the body.  This study enables a radiologist to view, in much greater detail, veins and arteries that cannot be seen with a conventional MRI procedure.
 

Metal and Your MRI
You must be sure not to wear any metal such as jewelry or hairpins during your MRI scan.  Metal worn in the magnet area will disturb the radio signals that allow the computer to create images of your body.  Please do not wear heavy eye shadow or hairspray as they can often interfere with the quality of your exam.  Due to the fact that most clothing has some type of metal in it, you will be asked to change into all cotton scrubs provided by DISC Radiology.  Most dental work does not interfere with the MRI, unless the area being imaged is near the dental work.  Orthodontic braces can affect the quality of the image.  Patients with cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, stimulators, some brain aneurysm clips, or infusion pumps may NOT have MRI exams.  Please inform your doctor and our staff if you have implanted metal or medical devices.  If you are pregnant or think you could be, notify your physician and our staff because such exams are generally postponed until after the first trimester.