Why Do I Need an MRI?

Your doctor may order an MRI to make a diagnosis or check how well treatment is working for your:

  • Blood vessels
  • Heart, liver, kidneys or other organs in your chest or abdomen
  • Joints
  • Lymph nodes 
  • Pelvic organs, including the bladder, bowels and reproductive (sex) organs

Before Your MRI

When scheduling your test, tell us if you’re concerned about claustrophobia. We may be able to:

  • Schedule your MRI at AnMed Oglesby Center A, which has a machine with a wide bore (opening) that gives you more space
  • Prescribe a sedative to help you relax during the exam

Preparation

Because the MRI scanner has a strong magnet, you’ll need to do these things before your test: 

  • Remove jewelry, hearing aids, hairpins, eyeglasses and other metal items
  • Tell us if you have any medical or electronic devices in your body, such as a pacemaker or nerve stimulator 

Contrast Material 

You may receive an injection of a contrast material that makes a certain area of your body show up better on the images. Your MRI technologist will make sure you don’t have any allergies or other health conditions that the contrast material could affect. 

During the Exam 

You’ll lie on a narrow table that slides into the MRI scanner. Depending on the AnMed location of your test, you may be able to enjoy music and adjust the lights for your comfort. If you have any questions or concerns during the scan, use the speaker in your machine to easily talk to a nearby technologist.

Getting Your Results 

Test results will likely appear in your MyChart patient portal within 24 hours. You may see them before your doctor has a chance to review and explain them. Reach out to your doctor with any questions about your next steps.    
 

Contact Us

If you receive a referral for an imaging test, your doctor’s office will schedule the exam for you. Call the AnMed location where your test will take place if you have a question or need to reschedule.