Brain MRI
Your doctor has recommend you for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your head. MRI imaging uses a magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to create detailed images of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. MRI of the brain allows physicians to examine the anatomy of the brain; determine precisely which part of the brain is handling critical functions such as thought, speech, movement and sensation, which is called brain mapping; help assess the effects of stroke, trauma or degenerative disease (such as Alzheimer's) on brain function; and monitor the growth and function of brain tumors.
Our team of specialist physicians can use these images to distinguish normal, healthy tissue and diseased tissue. Our team of specialists is led by Barry D. Pressman, MD, Chief of Neuroradiology, and by Franklin Moser, MD, Clinical Chief of Neuroradiology and Interventional Neuroradiology.
Before Arriving for Your Exam
You may eat and drink before this exam.
If patients are claustrophobic (fearful of small, enclosed areas) or experience pain when lying on their back for more than 30 minutes, their referring physician may prescribe a relaxant or pain medication to help them through the procedure. The imaging physicians at Cedars-Sinai will not prescribe these medications for you.
Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home.
Please wear comfortable clothing.
Although we do not anticipate any delay in your scheduled appointment, we recommend that you bring a book, a magazine or a music player to help pass the time while you are waiting.
You may also bring a CD to listen to while being scanned.
After Arriving
Before the exam, you must inform the technologist, radiology nurse and/or physician if you have allergies, are pregnant or are nursing.
You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire which will determine if an MR scan is safe for you. People with various implants (usually metallic) or with metal in their bodies (including some tattoos) may have difficulty with an MR - which utilizes a strong magnetic field. The imaging physician needs to be informed of any of these potential problems.
During the Exam
For this exam, you will be asked to lay down on the scanning table, head-first with arms at your side.
Coils (special devices to improve image quality) may be placed around your head.
The scanning table will slide your whole body into the magnet.
During the scan you will not feel anything, but will hear intermittent humming, thumping, clicking and knocking sounds.
Earplugs will be provided to help mask the noise and to allow you to listen to music.
In most cases, the imaging physician requests a contrast agent (dye) to improve the quality of the images. The contrast agent is injected into a vein in the arm, which may cause a cool sensation.
As pictures are taken, you must hold very still, and in some cases, hold you breath.
The technologist is always able to see and hear you during the exam.
The MRI exam takes approximately 45 minutes.
After the Exam
Your films will be examined by an imaging physician and a report sent to your doctor. Your doctor will review the results with you.
To request copies of your pictures on a CD-Rom, call (310) 423-8000. To request a copy of your report, call (310) 423-8000.
Parking Information
Valet parking is available in front of the Imaging center from 7:30am-5:00pm.
For self parking, please enter parking lot P4, located at the corner of San Vicente Blvd. and 3rd Street. The entrance is on San Vicente Blvd.
If you are arriving after 5:00pm, please park in parking lot P1, located off of George Burns Rd. between Beverly Blvd. and Alden Dr. The entrance is off of George Burns Rd.
Partially validated parking at a cost of $4.00 is provided to our imaging patients for valet and self parking in the lots mentioned above.
Please Note: We do not validate for parking lots in the Medical Office Towers located at 8631 and 8635 W. 3rd St.
