CT/MRI

The average CT takes about 20 minutes. The average MRI takes about one hour.

It depends on the type and location of the metal in your body. These specific questions can be answered by the CT/MRI technologist at TMC. Be sure to tell the technologist of any metallic objects on or in your body.

Sedation needs to be scheduled ahead of time by your physician's office. Performing sedation requires additional nursing or physician personnel and needs to be arranged prior to the exam, not at the exam.

Some of the CT/MRI examinations require that you be fasting prior to the examination. Call the department at (520) 324-5000 if your physician does not know.

In most cases your physician should have a copy of your report within 2-3 business days.

To schedule your CT or MRI examination, we must have a written doctor's order (a "prescription") for the examination. Most exams are scheduled through our centralized scheduling department, (520) 324-2075.

Your CT/MRI films need to be read by the radiologist before they can be signed out to your doctor's office. Most of the time this can be arranged by the next business day.

CT/MRI examinations are typically not painful. Some CT/MRI examinations do require an IV for the administration of a contrast agent.

Most patients with a history of allergies have no problems with their CT or MRI examinations. Be sure to tell CT/MRI technologist about any allergies prior to your exam. Some types of contrast media can cause allergic reactions.

Sometimes this is possible, especially with small children. Be sure to discuss this issue with your CT/MRI technologist prior to your examination.

Computerized tomography, or CT imaging, is a simple and safe exam. The scanner takes a series of pictures and can detect many conditions that do not show up on conventional X-rays. Some CT scans need radiographic dye that is injected or given by mouth to enhance the images by outlining blood vessels or showing organs of the body.

If you come in for a CT exam, you will be asked to lie quietly on the scanning table during the CT scan. The body part being scanned will be put in the middle of the doughnut-shaped scanner ring. You will feel the scanner table move every few seconds as it produces a series of images necessary to complete your exam. You will be asked to lay on the exam table from 1 minute to 20 minutes, depending on the procedure

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a special kind of imaging that allows doctors to see detailed pictures in the body without the use of X-rays. These three-dimensional images of the body can lead to early detection and treatment of disease. The MRI exam is a simple and doesn't hurt.

If you come in for an MRI, you will be asked to lie quietly on the scanning table. During the exam, you can listen to music via headphones.