Longhorn Imaging MRI

Longhorn Imaging Center is Central Texas’ premiere MRI provider, proudly serving Austin since 2014. With locations in South, Central, and North Austin, Cedar Park, and Killeen, our offices are conveniently located wherever you might be.

What is an MRI?

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan is a non-invasive and entirely painless exam that uses a strong magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to produce in-depth images of a person’s tissues, organs, and skeletal system.

MRI images help your doctor to examine, diagnose and treat a variety of diseases or injuries, including anomalies of the body, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, infection, tumors, and heart disease.

How do I prepare for an MRI?

An MRI produces a strong magnetic field, and therefore an MRI may not be done if you have a pacemaker, cochlear implants, intracranial aneurysm clips, an implanted insulin pump, implanted TENS device, metal in your eye or eye socket, or are pregnant.

Before an MRI exam, unless otherwise instructed, you may eat and drink normally and take your prescribed medications.

Metallic objects are attracted to magnets and may be drawn into the machine causing damage to the equipment or even severe injury to you and may also interfere with imaging.

You will need to remove any items that contain metal such as jewelry, eyeglasses, body piercings, watches, hair accessories, underwire bras, dentures, hearing aids, clothing with metallic threads, or closures and cosmetics that contain metal particles.

What should you bring on the day of the test?

• Arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment
• Photo ID
• Insurance information card
• A written doctor’s order or prescription for your MRI exam
• Payment for copays and co-insurance
• Copies of report(s) of any previous similar scans for the radiologist to refer to when interpreting the exam

What should I wear for an MRI?

We recommend that you come to your test in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that is free of metal buttons, zippers, belts or buckles, or bras with metal clasps or underwire.

What happens during an MRI test?

• The test itself will take anywhere from 15-90 minutes.
• To avoid any accidental metal brought into the MRI, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown or scrubs that we provide.
• Upon entering the room that houses the MRI scanner, you will lie down on a padded table that will then move you into the center of the machine.
• An MRI exam is painless, and there is no radioactive exposure.
• You will not feel any moving parts around you.
• The technician will be able to observe you from a window of an adjacent room.
• An intercom system within the machine allows you to have two-way communications with the staff should you have any questions or concerns.
• You will be asked to be as stationary as possible during the scan to allow for the best quality images.
• It is typical for the MRI scanner to make loud knocking noises in sequences of about 3-6 minutes at a time. This sound can be distracting to some people, so we offer earplugs to block the noise or earphones to listen to music.

What happens after the MRI?

After the MRI scan is completed, you may leave. There are not any expected side effects from the scan, and you will be able to resume your normal activities.

Our radiologist will send a report to your ordering doctor, which may take 24-48 hours. The results of your scan will be discussed with you at your follow up appointment with your medical provider that ordered your MRI.

Has your medical provider ordered an MRI for you? Get in touch with Longhorn Imaging Center today

We pride ourselves on our results and service, and our experienced team members will always put your comfort first. For more information, call Longhorn Imaging Center at 512-444-8900 or book an appointment online today.