We have prepared this area of our web site to enable you, as a patient, to find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding your forthcoming diagnostic examination.
MRI is an advanced technique for collecting internal images of the body. It is useful for anyone who has an ailment or source of pain that has been difficult to diagnose.
Because of the accuracy and detail of MRI, it is especially useful for detecting tumors, tissue damage and other physical abnormalities.
It is also useful in determining the effectiveness of treatments by measuring, for example, the change in size of a tumor, which is helpful in making continued decisions about treatments.
Back to topMRI allows doctors to see images of your internal organs and structures in great detail and from many angles. This gives them information more quickly and in many cases more economically than past tests and exploratory surgeries.
Back to topNo. Since MRI is "non-invasive", the exam is painless and not harmful.
You just lie back, relax and stay as still as possible until the technologist has obtained all the necessary angles to produce an image of the area of interest.
Back to topYou have to remain as still as possible. Just like a regular photograph, moving may result in a 'blurred' image. The technologist will let you know when you can move.
Back to topVery few people experience anxiety when having their MRI, but we are very sensitive to those who are uncomfortable within small spaces. If you have experienced anxiety due to small spaces before, please let the technologists know prior to your appointment and they will be happy to help you through it.
Back to topMRI technology is very safe for a large number of people. However, some people with metal implants such as pacemakers and aneurysm clips cannot be scanned. You will be required to provide a health history. Our staff will determine if a particular metal implant is acceptable for the MRI environment.
Back to topWe try to make the MRI examination as comfortable as possible. You may choose to be alone, or if you would like to have a friend or family member in the room with you, we can accommodate that. To ensure safety, we must first check that the friend or family member is free of metal objects such as aneurysm clips.
Back to topBone densitometry or bone mass Densitometry testing is a way of measuring your bone density, which helps in estimating the strength of bones and the likelihood of bone fractures.
Back to topThe Osteoporosis Society of Canada recommends that all men and women over the age of 50 talk to their physician about their risk factors for osteoporosis.
They also state that there are a number of factors that indicate that one should be assessed for osteoporosis. According to the 2002 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis in Canada, these can be divided into major and minor risk factors.
Major risk factors:
Minor risk factors:
A higher number of risk factors indicates a higher risk of having osteoporosis.
The Osteoporosis Society of Canada recommends that individuals over 50 who have at least one major risk factor or two minor risk factors (listed above) should have a bone Densitometry test.
Back to topAny person may want to know the Densitometry of the bones. But, the bone Densitometry test is most often performed for people with a high risk of developing osteoporosis. It is also used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for osteoporosis. The Osteoporosis Society of Canada also recommends that:
Individuals over 50 with at least one major risk factor or two minor risk factors should be tested.
Everyone over the age of 65 should be tested.
Back to topBone Densitometry tests are very simple and completely painless. You simply lie down on the padded bed of the densitometer and remain still while the arm of the scanner glides above you. The scanner arm never touches you, so the whole procedure is quick, painless and relaxing.
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