What is MRI, and what does it stand for?

MRI is short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  MRI is a method used by physicians to look inside the human body to obtain anatomical functional diagnostic information.

MRI utilizes the physical properties of magnetic fields, radio waves and computers to generate images of the tissues within the body.  Using a safe magnetic field in combination with radio waves of a specific frequency generates MRI signals from the body.  The MRI signals are detected and converted into a form, which the computer can understand.   The computer processes the MRI signals from the body to form the MR images.  Different tissue characteristics are revealed through this process and are thereby translated into different contrast levels on the MR images.  The trained physician can then review the MR images and form a clinical diagnosis.

MRI safety:

When preparing for your scan, it is important to take safety precautions.   You will be asked to remove all metal objects.  Most metal removable items are not compatible with MRI scanning.  Most surgically implanted metal objects are okay to be scanned, although we do need to know about them in advance. We screen and document every metal implant for your safety.

Before your scan, a technologist will talk with you in a private area and give you a locker to store your personal belongings.  You will need to remove any metallic objects because they can both interfere with the MR images and  lead to injury if brought within the magnetic field.  You may be asked to remove glasses, watches, cell phones, keys, beepers, body piercing jewelry, pocket knives, hairpins, clothing with metal fasteners, clothing with metallic threads, hearing aids and some prosthetic devices.  It is best to leave jewelry at home; however, we do provide a locked area to store your belongings.

Equipment Information:

• Hitachi AIRIS
• Gantry Gap:  43 cm (17 inches)
• Table Width:  80 cm (31.5 inches)
• Table Weight:  500 lbs.
• Magnet:  Permanent 0.3 Tesla

American College of Radiology Accreditation

Orthopedic Associates of Flower Mound and Lewisville has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in MRI as a result of a recent survey by the American College of Radiology.

The ACR, headquartered in Reston, Virginia, awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of the practice.  Evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field.  They assesss the qualifications of the personnel and the adequacy of the facility equipment.  The surveyors report their findings to the ACR's Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report.

The ACR is a national organization serving more than 32,000 diagnostic and interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, and nuclear medicine and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.