FAQ

Q : How does an MRI scanner work?Q : How does an MRI scanner work?

A : An MRI scanner does not use ionizing ray or particles. It use non-hazardous magnetic field and radiofrequency wave. In brief, The MRI scanner uses suitable magnetic fields and appropriate radiofrequency pulse to excite a Hydrogen nucleus, a part of a water molecule which is abundant in a human body, at a specific location inside a patient body. The excited Hydrogen nucleus or proton will return the energy it receives back as radiofrequency wave that can be detected by scanner receiver coils. The signals from the coils as well as the designed parameters of magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulse are used to computed for the image intensity at the specific location. After all targeted locations are investigated as above, whole images of internal organs or pathologic tissues can be reconstructed and displayed.

Q : How long will it take to be MRI scanned?

A : It depends on what part of the patient body to be scanned and what kind of suspected disease. Typically, it takes 30-60 minutes, but can be as short as 15 minutes and as long as 120 minutes.

Q : Is it possible to MRI scan a patient who is scared or claustrophobic?

A : Yes, but please inform AIMC staff so that we can prepare the patient by showing her/him the scanner like a test run. In moderate case, the patient may get a sedative medicine. In addition, a friend or relative can be inside the scanner room with the patient.

Q : What should I do if I have got a problem while being inside the scanner?

A : If you feel something wrong or have uncontrollable event, e.g., coughing, you can squeeze the rubber ball switch in your hand or speak out loudly. Attending AIMC staff will stop the scanning, and then come to see you.

Q : What if I have metal inside my body, can I undergo MRI scanning?

A : No, you cannot if you have most of equipment with electronic circuit inside such as pacemaker and implant hearing aid as well as ferro-magnetic metal. However, many modern artificial organs and equipments are MRI safe, and thus you can undergo the MRI scanning. For your own safety, you must tell AIMC staff when you go to make an appointment so that they can check whether you can be scanned. Finally, before going into the scanner, you should tell the attending AIMC staff again.

Q : What should I do while being inside the MRI scanner?

A: Of course, you should lie as still as possible, especially when you hear the loud machine sound, i.e., the scanning period that will last 3-5 minutes. Actually, you can move your other body parts (not the target organ) a little if the machine becomes quiet (inter-period of scanning).

Q : Is MRI scanner hazardous to human?

A : Most likely, no. MRI scanners being used in most of hospitals (clinical usage) are within FDA specifications allowed to be applied on patients, e.g., magnetic field strength. However, if there is any contraindication such as that in previous question, the patient must not undergo MRI scanning. Finally, only if necessary, we perform MRI scanning on pregnant woman, especially 3 months or less of pregnancy even though there is no proven harm to embryo or fetus yet.

Q : Why is CT scanner useful?

A : A CT scanner gives us cross-sectional topographic images which better shows details and structures of internal organs than conventional X-ray images. Moreover, the resultant images are volume (3-D) images, thus, besides in axial view, images can displayed in other views such as sagital and coronal. Finally, the modern CT scanners as those at AIMC can scan rapidly.

Q : Is it harmful from X-ray in undergoing a CT scanning?

A : Well, our radiological technician will use just enough X-ray dose to examine the target organ and the dose must not exceed the safety standard for the patient.

Q : Who is at risk to be CT scanned?

A : Undeniably, a pregnant woman, especially 3 months or less of pregnancy, is at risk because the ionizing X-ray may interfere with embryo or fetus development.

Q : Why does the patient have to do bowl preparation and take just soft food for 2 days before getting CT colonoscopic scanning?

A : Because solid stuff inside colon may cause a wrong diagnosis. It is hard to differentiate or to see tumor if there are solid feces inside colon.

Q : Why does a diabetes patient have to stop taking Metformin and Glucophage 1-2 days before and after CT scanning date?

A : Both drugs are secreted from the patient body via kidneys, and so are the intra-venous injected CT contrast media. The kidney should not be loaded with those as above at the same time.

Q : If I stop taking the diabetes drugs as in previous question, my blood sugar may rise. What should I do?

A : In general, a diabetes patient received a combination of many anti-diabetes drugs. Only Metformin and Glucophage must be stopped, while the rest can be continue. Anyhow, the patient should help herself/himself by strictly restricting starch and sweet food and enthusiastically working out.

Q : What are drugs that are in the Metformin and Glucophage group?

A : Avandamet , Deson , Diamet , Formin , Glizid-M , Gluco-500 , Gluco-850 , Glucolyte , Glucono , Glucophage , Glugemin , Glutabloc , Metformin , Metfor , Metfron , MetforminGPO , Miformin , Pocophage , Poli-formin , Prophage , Serformin , Siamformet , Glucovance , Metaglip , Glucophage-XR

Q : In bowl preparation for a CT colonoscopy scanning, there are 2 bottles of drugs to be taken: one is a laxative drug, another looks like milk. What is it?

A : The white liquid drug has Barium sulfate as its active ingredient. Barium sulfate can penetrate feces, while it cannot penetrate tumor or colon mucosa. Thus, it will help the attending radiologist in making the correct diagnosis.

Q : Why does the patient have to stop taking a pain-killer drug in NSAID group 1-2 days before and after the scan date?

A : The NSAID pain-killer drugs, e.g., Arcoxia, Celebrex, Naprosyn have to be secreted via kidneys. That is the same reason with Metformin and intra-venous CT contrast media.