Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a diagnostic imaging test that uses strong magnet and radiofrequency waves to produce images of internal organs and structures. MRI is a non invasive procedure, however, your physician may request a contrast agent be used to better visualize organs or structures. If this is requested you will receive an injection of the contrast agent during your examination.

It is essenital that the patient alert the technologist if they have a pacemaker, surgical clips, metal objects, or a prosthesis. The technologist will determine with the help of the radiolgist if the examination should be performed.

The technologist will position you on the exam table and move the table into the magnet. You will hear a knocking sound that occurs when the images are being aquired. The length of time you will be on the table depends on the type of study you are having.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
American College of Radiology
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
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Patient Preparations: listed below, click to hide.

Preparations may be revised or altered at any time. Please confirm specific preparations for your study upon scheduling your examination.

Exam Name Exam Preparation Instructions
Abdomen Clear liquid diet the evening before. The patient should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the exam. Patient may take medications with small amounts of water.
Ankle No preparation is required for this exam
Brachial Plexus No preparation is required for this exam
Brain No preparation is required for this exam
Brain with and without contrast No preparation is required for this exam
Breast No preparation is required for this exam
Cervical Spine No preparation is required for this exam
Cervical Spine with and without contrast No preparation is required for this exam
Chest No preparation is required for this exam
Elbow No preparation is required for this exam
Foot No preparation is required for this exam
Forearm No preparation is required for this exam
Hips The patient should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the exam. Patient may take medications with small amounts of water. If the patient is having this exam in the afternoon they should have nothing to eat or drink four hours prior to the test.
Humerus No preparation is required for this exam
Knee No preparation is required for this exam
Lower Leg No preparation is required for this exam
Lumbar Spine No preparation is required for this exam
Lumbar Spine with and without contrast No preparation is required for this exam
MRA Abdomen Renal Arteries No preparation is required for this exam
MRA Brain No preparation is required for this exam
MRA Chest No preparation is required for this exam
MRA Lower Extremity No preparation is required for this exam
MRA Pelvis No preparation is required for this exam
MRA Run Off No preparation is required for this exam
MRCP No preparation is required for this exam
MRI Pelvis Clear liquid diet the day before. (diabetics should have nothing to eat or drink the evening before the exam) The patient should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the exam. Patient may take medication with small amounts of water but no milk.
MRI Prostate Clear liquid diet the day before the exam. The patient should have nothing to eat or drink the morning of the exam. Patient may take medication with small amounts of water.
Orbit, Face, and Neck No preparation is required for this exam
Pituitary No preparation is required for this exam
Shoulder No preparation is required for this exam
Shoulder with contrast No preparation is required for this exam
Temporal Mandibular Joints No preparation is required for this exam
Thigh No preparation is required for this exam
Thoracic Spine No preparation is required for this exam
Thoracic Spine with and without contrast No preparation is required for this exam
Wrist No preparation is required for this exam


Appointment Forms:
You can download, print and fill out documents. Then bring them to your appointment to save time. Click here for appointment forms


Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Quick Links:
Schedule an Appointment,  Give Feedback after Visiting,  Billing/Payment Questions,  Request Films


Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is available at the following locations:
Location / Day MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
Annapolis 8:00am to 4:00pm 7:30am to 6:00pm 7:30am to 6:00pm 7:30am to 6:00pm 7:30am to 6:00pm    
Bel Air 8:00am to 8:00pm 8:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 8:00pm 8:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 12:00pm  
Bethesda 8:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 4:30pm    
Calvert Medical Imaging Center 7:00am to 6:00pm 7:00am to 6:00pm 7:00am to 6:00pm 7:00am to 6:00pm 7:00am to 5:00pm 8:00am to 4:00pm  
Frederick (Extermity) 8:30am to 4:45pm 8:30am to 4:45pm 8:30am to 4:45pm 8:30am to 4:45pm 8:30am to 4:45pm    
Frederick 7:30am to 7:00pm 7:30am to 7:00pm 7:30am to 7:00pm 7:30am to 7:00pm 8:00am to 4:30pm    
Glen Burnie 7:30am to 8:00pm 7:30am to 8:00pm 7:30am to 8:00pm 7:30am to 8:00pm 7:30am to 7:00pm 8:00am to 1:00pm  
Green Spring 7:30am to 9:00pm 7:30am to 9:00pm 7:30am to 9:00pm 7:30am to 9:00pm 7:30am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 3:30pm  
Howard County 7:00am to 9:30pm 7:00am to 9:30pm 7:00am to 9:30pm 7:00am to 9:30pm 7:00am to 9:30pm 7:00am to 7:30pm  
Newark 8:00am to 5:30pm 8:00am to 5:30pm 8:00am to 5:30pm 8:00am to 5:30pm 8:00am to 5:30pm 8:00am to 1:00pm  
North Point 7:00am to 7:30pm 7:00am to 7:30pm 7:00am to 7:30pm 7:00am to 7:30pm 7:00am to 7:30pm 7:00am to 1:00pm  
Owings Mills (Open) 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 8:00am to 12:00pm 7:30am to 4:00pm
Owings Mills (Extermity) 9:45am to 6:00pm 9:45am to 6:00pm 9:45am to 6:00pm 9:45am to 6:00pm 9:45am to 6:00pm    
Owings Mills (Closed) 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:30am to 4:00pm 7:30am to 4:00pm
Quarry Lake 8:30am to 5:00pm 8:30am to 5:00pm 8:30am to 5:00pm 8:30am to 5:00pm 8:30am to 5:00pm    
Timonium Crossing 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:30am to 3:30pm  
Waldorf 8:00am to 7:00pm 8:00am to 7:00pm 8:00am to 7:00pm 8:00am to 7:00pm 8:00am to 7:00pm 8:00am to 12:00pm  
Westminster 7:30am to 5:00pm 7:30am to 4:30pm 7:30am to 5:00pm 7:30am to 5:00pm 7:30am to 5:00pm 8:00am to 11:00am  
White Marsh 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 7:00am to 9:00pm 8:30am to 5:00pm  
*Hours vary for MRI appointments on Saturdays for Annapolis, please call the office.
*MRI is offered one Saturday per month for Westminster, please call for availability.

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