Oracle Imaging Services, Inc.
Neil Chafetz, M.D.,
Medical Director
1360 West 6th Street
West Building, Suite 100
San Pedro, CA 90732
(310) 833-2233
Fax: (310) 833-2213
Toll Free: (888) 535-3300
webmaster@oracleimaging.com

Copyright © 2006
Oracle Imaging Services, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Oracle Imaging Services, Inc.
Neil Chafetz, M.D., Medical Director

 

WHAT IS A MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the most accurate ways to examine the soft tissue areas of the body. MRI enables physicians to visualize differences among soft tissue with incredible acuity. It is a painless, noninvasive procedure that uses no ionizing radiation. Instead, MRI combines computer technology with magnetism and radio waves to create multiple pictures of the inside of the body. These images can be obtained in multiple planes of the body, thus creating a three-3 dimensional map of the area under study. After these images are transferred to film, they are interpreted by a MRI radiologist to detect disease or injury.

MRI has become a very valuable exam in diagnosing disease and detecting abnormalities for a broad range of anatomic sites since its development in the early 1980’s. MRI uses no harmful radiation and there are no known health side effects, thus making MRI studies a very low-risk procedure for the carefully screened patient.

MRI examinations generally take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. Generally, images can be acquired faster on the high field with the average scan being approximately 45 minutes.