Patient Information

What you need to know before your visit to WNY MRI

Be In-The-Know Before You Go

Learn what you need to do prior to your procedure, and understand what to expect during your visit to WNY MRI.

Procedure Preparation

Before you come in to WNY MRI for your next diagnostic imaging procedure, here’s what you should know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more about your upcoming procedure? Not sure what to expect? You’ve come to the right place.

Insurance, Transport, & Forms

Learn more about insurance, transportation, required forms, and more information about our practice.

Request an Appointment

Ready to request an appointment in one of our clean, warm, and welcoming locations? We’ve got you covered.

Be In-The-Know Before You Go

Learn what you need to do prior to your procedure, and understand what to expect during your visit to WNY MRI.

Your Procedure Preparation

Before you come in to WNY MRI for your next diagnostic imaging procedure, here are a few things that you should know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more about your upcoming procedure? Not sure what to expect? You’ve come to the right place.

Insurance, Transport, & Forms

Learn more about insurance, transportation, required forms, and more information about our practice.

Request an Appointment

Ready to request an appointment in one of our clean, warm, and welcoming locations? We’ve got you covered.

Procedure Preparation

At WNY MRI, we want you to feel as prepared as possible for your visit. Please review our preparation instructions for your upcoming procedure, and contact our team with any questions.

  • Do not eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to your procedure (NPO) if you are scheduled for an abdominal and or pelvic CT only.
  • Pick up your oral contrast from your WNY MRI. This is free of charge.
  • Take your first bottle two (2) hours before your procedure.
  • Drink ⅔ of the second bottle one (1) hour before your procedure, and bring the remaining contents of the bottle with you to your appointment.
  • Some blood work may be required. The WNY MRI staff will determine if it’s needed and you’ll be provided all the instructions.
  • Esophogram – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • Modified Barium Swallow – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • Small Bowel Follow-Through – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • UGI – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • Do not apply deodorant, powder, lotion or perfume the day of your procedure.

You may eat normally prior to your procedure and take any prescribed medications, unless you’re having the following procedures:

 

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

  • Do not eat or drink anything six (6) hours prior to your scheduled MRCP.

MRI of the Pelvis

  • Do not eat or drink anything six (6) hours prior to your scheduled procedure.

 

If you request sedation, it is available as long as you have a driver transporting you home.

Please arrive 60 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time if you have made arrangements to take sedation.

  • Bone Scan – No preparation is required.
  • Gallbladder Scan – Do not eat or drink anything for five (5) hours prior to your procedure.
  • Muga Scan – No preparation is required.
  • Myocardial Stress/Rest Scan – Do not eat anything for four (4) hours prior to your procedure. Do not consume any caffeine for 12 hours prior to your procedure.
  • Renal Scan – Hydrate and drink several glasses of water prior to arriving for your procedure.
  • Thyroid Scan – Since this is a two-day study, instructions will be provided to you when you schedule your appointment.
  • Beginning two (2) days before your procedure, avoid strenuous activity. Unnecessary physical exertion severely interferes with the results of your PET Scan.
  • Do not consume caffeine, tobacco or alcohol 24 hours prior to your procedure.
  • Start a no/low carbohydrate (sugar) diet 24 hours prior to your scheduled procedure. Avoid carb-heavy foods such as bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, candy, fruit and soda. You may eat vegetables, eggs, chicken, beef, pork and whole grain bread.
  • Do not eat for six (6) hours prior to your scheduled procedure.
  • If you’re a diabetic, you should only fast for at least two (2) hours prior to your procedure.
  • You may take your medications with water the day of your procedure. If you need to take pain medication, you may bring it with you.
  • Hydrate and drink several glasses of water prior to arriving for your procedure.
  • If you require oxygen, please bring your portable device with you and make sure you have enough oxygen to last you for at least three (3) hours.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes to your procedure. Do not wear jewelry or any clothing that contains metal.
  • Plan on spending two or three (2-3) hours at your WNY Imaging center for your PET Scan procedure.
  • Due to the nature of the materials required for a PET scan please call at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled time if you need to cancel or reschedule your procedure.
  • Abdomen (Liver, Gallbladder and Right Upper Quadrant) – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • Pelvis – Drink four (4) eight (8) ounce glasses of water one (1) hour and 15 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure. Drink these four (4) glasses of water in less than 30 minutes.

Procedure Preparation

At WNY MRI, we want you to feel as prepared as possible for your visit. Please review our preparation instructions for your upcoming procedure, and contact our team with any questions.

  • Do not eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to your procedure (NPO) if you are scheduled for an abdominal and or pelvic CT only.
  • Pick up your oral contrast from your WNY MRI location. This is free of charge.
  • Take your first bottle two (2) hours before your procedure.
  • Drink ⅔ of the second bottle one (1) hour before your procedure, and bring the remaining contents of the bottle with you to your appointment.
  • Some blood work may be required. The WNY MRI staff will determine if it’s needed and you’ll be provided all the instructions.
  • Esophogram – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • Modified Barium Swallow – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • Small Bowel Follow-Through – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • UGI – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • Do not apply deodorant, powder, lotion or perfume the day of your procedure.

You may eat normally prior to your procedure and take any prescribed medications, unless you’re having the following procedures:

 

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

  • Do not eat or drink anything six (6) hours prior to your scheduled MRCP.

MRI of the Pelvis

  • Do not eat or drink anything six (6) hours prior to your scheduled procedure.

 

If you request sedation, it is available as long as you have a driver transporting you home.

Please arrive 60 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time if you have made arrangements to take sedation.

  • Bone Scan – No preparation is required.
  • Gallbladder Scan – Do not eat or drink anything for five (5) hours prior to your procedure.
  • Muga Scan – No preparation is required.
  • Myocardial Stress/Rest Scan – Do not eat anything for four (4) hours prior to your procedure. Do not consume any caffeine for 12 hours prior to your procedure.
  • Renal Scan – Hydrate and drink several glasses of water prior to arriving for your procedure.
  • Thyroid Scan – Since this is a two-day study, instructions will be provided to you when you schedule your appointment.
  • Beginning two (2) days before your procedure, avoid strenuous activity. Unnecessary physical exertion severely interferes with the results of your PET Scan.
  • Do not consume caffeine, tobacco or alcohol 24 hours prior to your procedure.
  • Start a no/low carbohydrate (sugar) diet 24 hours prior to your scheduled procedure. Avoid carb-heavy foods such as bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, candy, fruit and soda. You may eat vegetables, eggs, chicken, beef, pork and whole grain bread.
  • Do not eat for six (6) hours prior to your scheduled procedure.
  • If you’re a diabetic, you should only fast for at least two (2) hours prior to your procedure.
  • You may take your medications with water the day of your procedure. If you need to take pain medication, you may bring it with you.
  • Hydrate and drink several glasses of water prior to arriving for your procedure.
  • If you require oxygen, please bring your portable device with you and make sure you have enough oxygen to last you for at least three (3) hours.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes to your procedure. Do not wear jewelry or any clothing that contains metal.
  • Plan on spending two or three (2-3) hours at your WNY Imaging center for your PET Scan procedure.
  • Due to the nature of the materials required for a PET scan please call at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled time if you need to cancel or reschedule your procedure.
  • Abdomen (Liver, Gallbladder and Right Upper Quadrant) – Do not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to your procedure. (NPO)
  • Pelvis – Drink four (4) eight (8) ounce glasses of water one (1) hour and 15 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure. Drink these four (4) glasses of water in less than 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about your upcoming diagnostic imaging procedure? We’ve got answers.

If you’re not finding the answer to your question here, please contact us.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging is a method of diagnosis that uses a static magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to obtain signals from the body to create an image. There is no radiation or X-rays used. This technology is important because MRI illustrates to your doctor more clearly than ever before the differences between healthy and unhealthy tissues.

 

  • An MRI provides detailed images of the body in any plane. Unlike CT scans, MRI procedures use no radiation, but use a powerful magnetic field to align the magnetization of the hydrogen atoms in the body. Radio waves are then used to alter the alignment of the magnetization, causing the hydrogen atoms to produce rotating magnetic field detectable by the scanner. There are no side effects produced by this and the atoms return to normal when exiting the magnetic field. Small devices called “coils” may be placed around the head, arm, leg or other areas that are to be studied. These devices help to send and receive the radio waves. The images can be viewed on a computer, on CD or printed on film. The machine produces loud sounds during the procedure. Ear plugs are usually provided to help reduce the noise. Upon completion of the procedure, you may resume normal activities.

 

  • The scan is completed as an outpatient procedure, which means that the patient can go home immediately after the test. During the scan it is important to lie completely still. A sedative is sometimes recommended to children or adults that may have a difficulty lying still or who might be claustrophobic. It is important to arrange for appropriate transportation home in these cases.

An MRI shows muscle, tissue, diseased tissue, tumors, bone, ligaments, cartilage and tendons, whereas an X-ray only shows bone.

It is possible to take pictures from almost every angle with an MRI scan. There is no ionizing radiation (X-rays) involved in producing an MRI scan and the images can be more detailed as well. The difference between normal and abnormal tissue is often clearer on an MRI than on a CT scan.

There are no known dangers or side effects connected to an MRI scan. The test is not painful; you can’t even feel it. Since there is no radiation involved, the procedure can be repeated without problems. Scans are not performed on women who are pregnant due to a small theoretical risk to the fetus during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

To date, studies have shown there are no side effects associated with an MRI.

The MRI takes between 20 minutes to an hour depending on what part of the body is being scanned.

An MRI is done using a strong magnetic field to create the image. Some metal implants could cause problems if subjected to these incredibly high magnetic forces, so ALWAYS check with your doctor to ensure that your implant is safe for MRIs.

MRA is magnetic resonance angiography. This looks at the blood flow in arteries, veins and can detect narrowing or stenosis. An MRA is performed the same way as an MRI, and may require contrast injection.

If you’ve had an IV injection or ingested barium, you must wait two (2) weeks before having the procedure.

  •  An appointment is required for most procedures at WNY MRI. 
  • X-ray procedures are still taken on a walk-in basis.

We don’t have the space or staffing available to properly attend to your child. However, we will be happy to reschedule your appointment to a time more convenient for you.

Insurance, Transport, & Forms

We accept almost all insurances including but not limited to:

Medicare & Medicaid

United Health Care

Fidelis

Independent Health

BCBS/ Highmark

Workers Compensation – No Fault

We do provide transportation to appointments. Please let the office know you will need transportation before you schedule your appointment so we can ensure your request can be carried out.
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Insurance, Transport, & Forms

We accept almost all insurances including but not limited to:

  • Medicare & Medicaid
  • United Health Care
  • Fidelis
  • Independent Health
  • BCBS/ Highmark
  • Workers Compensation – No Fault
We do provide transportation to appointments. Please let the office know you will need transportation before you schedule your appointment so we can ensure your request can be carried out.

Below are a list of forms you may need to complete prior to your visit. Please click on the form name to view and download:

Request an Appointment

Let us take care of your diagnostic imaging needs at one of our comfortable, welcoming WNY MRI locations.

If you need to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic imaging exam, please contact us. We’ll be happy to schedule the required exam at your earliest convenience. You can also feel free to send us any questions or concerns you have regarding past image results, future appointments or our services.