Anesthesia with MRI

Within 30 days of your exam:

  • A chest x-ray must be completed within 30 days prior to date of exam.
  • EKG done within 30 days prior to date of exam.
  • H & P (history and physical) done within 30 days prior to exam.
  • CBC done within 14 days of date of exam.
  • Patient must also bring their list of medications.

Eating and drinking instructions:

  • You may not eat any solid foods or drink any liquids according to the following guidelines in the six hours before the scan.
  • Examples of solid foods are cereals, bread and candy. Examples of full liquids are milk, formula and orange juice.

Before arriving at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center:

  • You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home.
  • Dress in comfortable clothing that does not have metal zippers, buttons or snaps.
  • Do not put on barrettes; hairpins; jewelry, other than 14k gold; or a watch. These items can affect the way the magnet works.
  • Please leave all valuables at home.
  • Be sure to bring your list of medication and above mentioned test results.

Upon Arrival:

  • Please make your travel plans carefully to ensure that you arrive on time. If you are late, the MRI may have to be rescheduled or delayed. Every effort will be made to keep MRI exams on time.
  • Please arrive no later than one hour before the exam time.
  • You must tell the technologist, radiology nurse, and/or imaging physician of any allergies you may have, and if you are pregnant or are nursing.

Before the exam begins:

  • After you fill out a screening form, a nurse will explain the exam, answer your questions and let you know if you need to change into a hospital gown.
  • You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire which will determine if an MRI is safe for you. People with various implants (usually metallic) or with metal in their bodies (including some tattoos) may have difficulty with an MRI¿which utilizes a strong magnetic field. The imaging physician needs to be informed of any of these potential problems.

During the exam:

  • You will lay on the scanning table.
  • Coils (special devices to improve image quality) may be placed around the body part being scanned.
  • The scanning table will slide into the magnet.
  • In some cases, the imaging physician requests a contrast agent (dye) to improve the quality of the images. The dye is injected into a vein in the arm, and may cause a cool sensation.
  • The technologist is always able to see and hear you during the exam.

After your scan:

  • Your physician will be sent the results of your test and will discuss the results with you and what they mean for your future treatment.
  • To request copies of your films, call (310) 423-8000. To request a copy of your test results, call (310) 423-8000.

Parking at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center:

  • Taper Imaging Center parking is located in Lot 7 at the corner of San Vicente Blvd. & Gracie Allen Dr. (Alden Dr.). Enter off Sherbourne Drive.
  • Parking is partially validated and is available in the Taper lobby.
  • Or, park in the Medical Center North Tower off George Burns Road.
  • There is a large metal sculpture in the shape of the number "8" in front of the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center.