Hunterdon Radiological Associates, P.A. is dedicated to providing quality medical care by:
1. Being sensitive and responsive to the healthcare needs of the community
2. Protecting the privacy of the patient
3. Acting in a professional manner and maintaining the highest standards of personal integrity and ethics
4. Utilizing state of the art equipment and highly skilled professionals
High Field MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the latest technology available for producing the fastest, most accurate images of the inside the body. Using a magnetic field, radio waves and a sophisticated computer system, MRI allows the radiologist to "see" precise images of soft tissue structures and organs. These structures include the brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and other soft tissues. The benefit of MRI is that, unlike the conventional x-ray or CT imaging, MRI does not use radiation. MRI takes advantage of the water molecules in your body combined with a powerful magnet to obtain images. Because MRI allows your doctor to see inside the body from any angle with great clarity, it gives doctors a wealth of information more quickly and in most cases, more economically than other tests and exploratory surgeries.
About The Exam When you arrive for your exam, you must be completely free of all metals. If you are not free of all metals, you will be required to wear a gown.
The MRI scanner is in an area that has been shielded from outside metallic fields. The scanner creates a magnetic field around you, then pulse radio waves are directed to the tissue in question. A device called a "coil" will be placed over or under you. It is specialized to produce the clearest picture of the area being scanned. When you are comfortably positioned, the table will move to the magnet. The technologist will step into the control area while staying in constant contact with you both visually and through the intercom. As the MRI scan begins, you will hear the equipment making muffled thumping or knocking sounds that will last for several minutes. Other than that sound you should experience no unusual sensations during the scanning. The MRI will consist of several sequences that may last anywhere from 1-10 minutes (the average being 4 minutes) depending on the area being scanned. A complete scan usually takes about one hour; some scans take more than 90 minutes. Certain MRI exams require an injection of a contrast material. This helps identify certain anatomic structures on the scan images. You will need to lie very still during the scanning procedure. Movement causes the images to blur, in which case the whole sequence may have to be repeated. The technologist will explain to you ahead of time and throughout the scan when it is okay to move and when it is necessary to hold still. Be sure to tell the technologist if you are feeling anxious. There are many ways to help you feel more comfortable and relaxed during this procedure.
This machine is not recommended for patients that are claustrophobic. For our claustrophobic patients, we offer an open MRI magnet that has a four-sided open design.
Patient Prep View this study's patient prep information. You will need to follow these guidelines before taking this exam
The MRI scanner is in an area that has been shielded from outside metallic fields. The scanner creates a magnetic field around you, then pulse radio waves are directed to the tissue in question. A device called a "coil" will be placed over or under you. It is specialized to produce the clearest picture of the area being scanned. When you are comfortably positioned, the table will move to the magnet. The technologist will step into the control area while 
Certain MRI exams require an injection of a contrast material. This helps identify certain anatomic structures on the scan images. You will need to lie very still during the scanning procedure. Movement causes the images to blur, in which case the whole sequence may have to be repeated. The technologist will explain to you ahead of time and throughout the scan when it is okay to move and when it is necessary to hold still. Be sure to tell the technologist if you are feeling anxious. There are many ways to help you feel more comfortable and relaxed during this procedure.
Patient Prep