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MRI Arthrogram – What it is and Why it is Ordered

An MRI Arthrogram involves an injection of contrast into a specific joint space. MRI Arthrograms are performed on joint articulations including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle, and are typically ordered when a physician needs to examine the soft tissue structure inside the joint as subtle cartilage and/or ligament damage is not visualized on standard MRI exams. Distending the joint with contrast enhances the imaging, allowing better visualization of the joint space. This increases the diagnosis accuracy, which can add improvement to the treatment plan provided by your physician.

Patients are provided a dressing room and garments to dress accordingly for the procedure. A staff member will then retrieve the patient and take them to the procedure room for the injection portion of the exam.

I Need an MRI and I’m Claustrophobic…HELP!

A concern among some patients whose provider has ordered an MRI is their fear of tight spaces, or claustrophobia. Between 7-10% of the population deals with some type of claustrophobia, and even for patients who don’t normally deal with claustrophobia MRI treatment can produce anxiety.

Thankfully there are many ways in which MRI treatment can be effectively administered even to the most claustrophobic patients. Receiving treatment in an open magnet is the best way a claustrophobic patient can undergo an MRI. At Coliseum, we offer a high-field open magnet that not only provides a more comfortable experience for claustrophobic patients, but because of its higher magnetic field, also provides excellent image quality.

Here’s a list on how to overcome anxiety related to claustrophobia – some of the more effective techniques include:

MRI Noise

MRI exams offer many advantages over other types of diagnostic imaging, including absence of radiation, accuracy, speed and versatility. If you talk with patients who have undergone an MRI, you’re likely to encounter many who will remember the loud noises the magnet makes during the exam. In addition to being safe, and pain-free, MRI machines can be loud.

At Coliseum, our registered technologists provide patients ear protection as well as headphones to listen to the music of your choice during your exam. There are exams in which the patient’s position in the magnet won’t allow for headphones, and in this case, the patient’s music choice will be featured over the speaker system in the exam room. In either case, make sure you choose music that you’re willing to resist the temptation to tap your foot or shake your shoulders because any patient movement can disrupt the image quality.

So my doctor has ordered an MRI…now what?

The process of scheduling an MRI can be quite simple, but could also be quite complex, depending on a variety of factors including the specific health insurance provider and the type of exam ordered.  Our goal is to process each order accurately and as quickly as possible.

Pre-Scheduling Process

Prior to scheduling, at a minimum, Coliseum needs a copy of the order from your referring physician and health insurance provider information (if applicable).  Once we have this information, we will work with your referring provider to ascertain whether a prior authorization from your health insurance provider is required.  If prior authorization is required, we continue to work with your referring provider’s office to make certain the exam is approved and will be covered by your health insurance provider prior to scheduling.  This process can take just a few minutes or a few days depending on the health insurance provider.  We check regularly throughout each business day on the status of any pending authorizations.

Once Coliseum staff has a clear picture regarding the type of exam ordered and the health insurance provider details including the expected patient financial responsibility, we will call you to schedule your exam.

MRI and Magnetic Fields

Welcome to the Coliseum Imaging Center blog! Our aim is provide helpful, accurate information and insights into MRI trends, injury awareness and prevention as well as medical imaging technology.

MRI combines strong magnetic fields along with radio waves to produced computer-generated images of organs, tissue and the skeletal system.  In many cases, MRI gives different information about structures in the body that can been seen with an x-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan.  Due to the high levels of magnetism, it is important to avoid introducing any kind of metal to the exam area.  According to the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the powerful magnetic forces present during an MRI can attract metal objects abruptly and with great strength, which could cause serious harm to both the patient and the equipment.  It is crucial that one does not enter the MR environment unattended by MR personnel.