Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all imaging procedure requests must be referred from your physician or provider prior to the rendering of the exam. Your physician may call us to schedule your exam along with a faxed written order or they may fax us the written order and we will contact you to schedule the exam.

All Services
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

MRI Services
Monday – Friday 7:30am – 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm

Where are you located?
6401 Poplar Avenue, #100
Memphis, TN 38119

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CT

What should I wear?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing with no metal. You will also be asked to remove all other metal such as jewelry, piercings, watches, hearing aids, etc. Depending on the type of exam you are having, you may be asked to change into a gown.

What is “contrast” and why do I need it?
In some cases, a contrast media may be needed to highlight certain areas of the body being scanned. Iodine based material used with CT helps to emphasize blood vessels and other structures relevant to your medical issue and will be administered by a small IV catheter in the arm. Please notify our staff if you have any allergies to iodine. Blood tests to determine Creatinine levels and GFR calculations will be performed and evaluated as needed prior to giving IV contrast to patients. You may also be required to drink contrast if you are having an abdominal and/or pelvic scan. The oral contrast fills the colon for better visualization on the images.

How long will the scan take?
Depending on the type of exam, between 10 and 20 minutes.

Is there a patient weight limit on the scanner?
Yes. The weight limit on the CT scanner at our office is 485 lbs.

Can I eat or drink before my CT exam?
Below are the restrictions by exam type:

• Abdomen or Abdomen & Pelvis – Nothing to eat or drink for 3 hours before the scan other than the oral contrast that you will be given at our office under our supervision.
• Head or Brain – Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours before the scan
• Chest/Thorax – Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours before the scan

MRI

What should I wear?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing with no metal. You will also be asked to remove all other metal such as jewelry, piercings, watches, hearing aids, etc. Depending on the type of exam you are having, you may be asked to change into a gown.

Can someone sit with me during the scan?
Yes.

Will you provide me with medication for anxiety or claustrophobia?
Due to the open, spacious design of the MRI scanner at our facility, most people do not experience anxiety or claustrophobia as with some other type scanners. However, if you feel medication is necessary to successfully complete your exam, please make arrangements with your physician/provider in advance of your appointment so that you are medicated in time for your exam or let us know in advance and we can provide a mild sedative at your visit. We will need for you to arrive far enough in advance of your appointment to allow the sedative to take effect. If you take any anti-anxiety medication prior to your exam, you will need to have a driver available after the exam is completed.

Can I have an MRI if I have dental fillings or braces?
Yes, the metal in most fillings and braces is not affected by the MRI magnetic field. However, the fillings and braces may cause some image distortion if you are having a scan of your neck, brain or facial area.

Can I have an MRI if I have a pacemaker?
No.

Can I have an MRI if I am pregnant?
Yes, but only if your physician/provider and the radiologist believe MRI is the examination that will best evaluate your condition based on your clinical history.

Are there other conditions that may limit me from having a MRI scan?
Yes. Patients with pacemakers and aneurysm clips, depending on the location in the body, are prohibited from having a MRI scan. Also, if there is a possibility that you may have metal or a foreign body in your eye(s) you may be prohibited from having a scan. This may occur if you are or have been a welder or work with sheet metal. A screening x-ray of your eyes may be performed prior to your scan, if necessary. Patients will be screened by our technical staff prior to performing the scan.

Is there a patient weight limit on the scanner?
Yes. The weight limit on the MRI scanner at our office is 448 lbs.

How long will the exam take?
Most exams take approximately 30 minutes but some can take up to 45 minutes and the technologist can tell you the expected scan time at your visit. Each exam is a series of sequences lasting several minutes each. You will need to remain as still as possible during the imaging sequence to avoid blurred images and the potential for repeating the sequence. For most MRI scans you may reposition your arms and scratch an itch between image sequences. The technologist will tell you when each sequence will begin.

What is “contrast” and why do I need it?
In some cases, a contrast media may be needed to highlight certain areas of the body being scanned. Gadolinium, the material used with MRI, helps to emphasize blood vessels and other structures relevant to your medical issue and will be administered by a small IV catheter in the arm. Blood tests to determine Creatinine levels and GFR calculations will be performed and evaluated as needed prior to giving IV contrast to patients.

ULTRASOUND

Is there any special preparation for an Ultrasound exam?
Yes. Below are the preparations you should follow per exam.

• Abdomen (liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen): Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test. (Children under 12 may have a normal diet unless the gallbladder is to be evaluated.)
• Pelvis: It is necessary to have a full bladder for this test. Beginning about 2 hours before the test you may need to drink 24-32 ounces of water in order to have a full bladder. No carbonated drinks. Do not empty your bladder until after the test.
• Abdomen and Pelvis: If you are having both tests at the same visit, you may drink water only but no food per Abdomen exam instructions above.
• Renal Ultrasound: Nothing to eat or drink except water for 4 hours before the test.
• Renal Doppler Ultrasound: Nothing to eat or drink except water for 8 hours before the test.

RADIOGRAPHY AND FLUOROSCOPY

What tests are considered fluoroscopic procedures?
There are several exams/procedures that fall in this category with the preparation for each below.

Barium Enema

• 24 hours prior to test take a laxative obtained from your local pharmacy.
• Consume only clear liquids during the 24 hours prior to the test.
• Perform a Fleets enema the morning of the test.

Arthrography

Anticoagulants (blood thinners) other than aspirin should not be taken for the period of time defined in the Diagnostic Imaging Anticoagulant Prep List. The number of days and/or hours a patient should be off the medication will vary based on the particular anticoagulant. Consult with your referring provider or call our office for specific instructions before discontinuing any anticoagulant or prescribed medication.

Hip Injection

Anticoagulants (blood thinners) other than aspirin should not be taken for the period of time defined in the Diagnostic Imaging Anticoagulant Prep List. The number of days and/or hours a patient should be off the medication will vary based on the particular anticoagulant. Consult with your referring provider or call our office for specific instructions before discontinuing any anticoagulant or prescribed medication.

IVP

• Clear liquid supper the night before the test and remain on clear liquids (ex., bouillon, jello or broth).
• Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before the test.
• Perform a Fleets enema the morning of the test.
• Children under 12 years old need to have nothing to eat or drink for only 2 hours before the test. The above prep is unnecessary.

Myelography – Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar

• No aspirin should be taken for 7 days before the procedure.
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) other than aspirin should not be taken for the period of time defined in the Diagnostic Imaging Anticoagulant Prep List. The number of days and/or hours a patient should be off the medication will vary based on the particular anticoagulant. Consult with your referring provider or call our office for specific instructions before discontinuing any anticoagulant or prescribed medication.
• No tranquilizers should be taken for 48 hours before the procedure.
• Drink an increased amount of fluids for 24 hours before the procedure.
• No solid foods should be consumed for 4 hours before the procedure.
• Patient should have someone available to drive after the procedure is completed.

Upper GI

• Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test.
• Children under 2 years old should have nothing to eat or drink for only 4 hours before the test.

What tests are considered Radiographic exams?
Radiographic exams are plain x-rays such as a chest x-ray or a bone x-ray. There is no preparation for these particular exams.

MAMMOGRAPHY

Is there any special preparation for a Mammogram?

• Do not use deodorant, powders, ointment or perfume on your breasts or underarm area before the test.
• Bring previous mammography films or arrange for them to be sent to us if prior studies were not performed at our facility.

Do you have questions about your breast density?

• If you would like to use the Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Assessment Calculator, (please click here) this calculator asks questions about your personal and family history to determine your lifetime risk probability of developing breast cancer compared with the age-adjusted U.S. population average probability of developing breast cancer. The purpose of this tool is simply to inform you. Please consult with your healthcare provider should you have any questions about your risk of developing breast cancer or for guidance on options for breast cancer screening or genetic counseling.

Your exam results will be reported by a board-certified radiologist to your referring physician/provider within 1-2 business days. However, you should follow your physician/provider directions as to when they plan to communicate with you about your results. Many physicians/providers are coordinating other tests with the imaging exam and need all information before they discuss your treatment with you.

DI provides films/CDs to your physician/provider as requested. If you need an additional copy, you may request one through our medical records department.

Yes. We will bill your primary and secondary insurance (if applicable).

Most insurance carriers require an authorization for MRI and CT exams. Some carriers require authorization for Nuclear Imaging or Ultrasound exams as well. If authorization is required, we will work with your referring physician/provider to obtain the authorization from your insurance company prior to your visit. You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with your insurance plan as you are ultimately responsible for the bill.

If you do not have medical insurance and you are concerned about paying for your procedure, you may contact our office and we will give you an approximate cost. Substantial discounts are available on most exams if you pay in full at the time of your exam. Lesser discounts are available for patients who may require longer terms to pay up to 90 days.

You will need to bring your complete insurance information including your insurance card, ID number and group number. You should bring any paperwork your physician/provider gave you related to the test including the written order, if applicable. If you possess or have knowledge of any prior imaging studies that may help us perform and interpret your exam at our office, you should attempt to obtain them and bring them with you. If you are unable to do so in advance, we will have you sign an authorization form at the time of your procedure and obtain the prior studies for you.