What is an MRI scan?

An MRI (or magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures. The MRI scanner is a tube surrounded by a giant circular magnet. The patient is placed on a moveable bed that is inserted into the magnet. The magnet creates a strong magnetic field that aligns the protons of hydrogen atoms, which are then exposed to a beam of radio waves. This spins the various protons of the body, and they produce a faint signal that is detected by the receiver portion of the MRI scanner. The receiver information is processed by a computer, and an image is produced.

The image and resolution produced by MRI is quite detailed and can detect tiny changes of structures within the body. For some procedures, contrast agents, such as gadolinium, are used to increase the accuracy of the images.

"Best Value" State Price List Updated 9-15-2012
Thousands of locations available. The lowest costs by state are listed below.
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• Alabama MRI's starting at $380

• Arizona MRI's starting at $300

• Arkansas MRI's starting at $510

• California MRI's starting at $325

• Colorado MRI's starting at $51

• Connecticut MRI's starting at $830

• Delaware MRI's starting at $755

Consider traveling to save money...
NY City MRI's  $335
 

• \District of Columbia MRI's starting at $555

• Florida MRI's starting at $335

• \Georgia MRI's starting at $380

• Illinois MRI's starting at $380

• Indiana MRI's starting at $460

• Iowa MRI's starting at $830

• Idaho MRI's starting at $1,030

Consider traveling to save money...
Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta
 

• Kansas MRI's starting at $510

• Kentucky MRI's starting at $435

• Louisiana MRI's starting at $430

• Maryland MRI starting at $380

• Massachusetts MRI's starting at $580

• Michigan MRI's starting at $560

• Minnesota MRI's starting at $435

• Mississippi MRI's starting at $510

• Missouri MRI's starting at $380

• Montana MRI's starting at $955

• Nebraska MRI's starting at $435

• Nevada MRI's starting at $380

• New Jersey MRI's starting at $380

• New Mexico MRI's starting at $830

• New York MRI's starting at $335

• North Carolina MRI's starting at $830

• Ohio MRI's starting at $380

• Oklahoma MRI's starting at $510

• Oregon MRI's starting at $970

• Pennsylvania MRI's starting at $360

• Rhode Island MRI's starting at $680

• South Carolina MRI's starting at $730

Consider traveling to save money...
Florida, New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta
 

• Tennessee MRI's starting at $360

• Texas MRI's starting at $380

• Utah MRI's starting at $730

• Virginia MRI's starting at $560

• Washington MRI's starting at $380

• Wisconsin MRI's starting at $435

When are MRI scans used?

An MRI scan can be used as an extremely accurate method of disease detection throughout the body. In the head, trauma to the brain can be seen as bleeding or swelling. Other abnormalities often found include brain aneurysms, stroke, tumors of the brain, as well as tumors or inflammation of the spine.

Neurosurgeons use an MRI scan not only in defining brain anatomy but in evaluating the integrity of the spinal cord after trauma. It is also used when considering problems associated with the vertebrae or intervertebral discs of the spine. An MRI scan can evaluate the structure of the heart and aorta, where it can detect aneurysms or tears.

It provides valuable information on glands and organs within the abdomen, and accurate information about the structure of the joints, soft tissues, and bones of the body. Often, surgery can be deferred or more accurately directed after knowing the results of an MRI scan.

What are the risks of an MRI scan?

An MRI scan is a painless radiology technique that has the advantage of avoiding x-ray radiation exposure. There are no known side effects of an MRI scan. The benefits of an MRI scan relate to its precise accuracy in detecting structural abnormalities of the body.

Patients who have any metallic materials within the body must notify their physician prior to the examination or inform the MRI staff. Metallic chips, materials, surgical clips, or foreign material (artificial joints, metallic bone plates, or prosthetic devices, etc.) can significantly distort the images obtained by the MRI scanner. Patients who have heart pacemakers, metal implants, or metal chips or clips in or around the eyeballs cannot be scanned with an MRI because of the risk that the magnet may move the metal in these areas. Similarly, patients with artificial heart valves, metallic ear implants, bullet fragments, and chemotherapy or insulin pumps should not have MRI scanning.

During the MRI scan, patient lies in a closed area inside the magnetic tube. Some patients can experience a claustrophobic sensation during the procedure. Therefore, patients with any history of claustrophobia should relate this to the practitioner who is requesting the test, as well as the radiology staff. A mild sedative can be given prior to the MRI scan to help alleviate this feeling. It is customary that the MRI staff will be nearby during MRI scan. Furthermore, there is usually a means of communication with the staff (such as a buzzer held by the patient) which can be used for contact if the patient cannot tolerate the scan.

How does a patient prepare for an MRI scan and how is it performed?

All metallic objects on the body are removed prior to obtaining an MRI scan. Occasionally, patients will be given a sedative medication to decrease anxiety and relax the patient during the MRI scan. MRI scanning requires that the patient lie still for best accuracy. Patients lie within a closed environment inside the magnetic machine. Relaxation is important during the procedure and patients are asked to breathe normally. Interaction with the MRI technologist is maintained throughout the test. There are loud, repetitive clicking noises which occur during the test as the scanning proceeds. Occasionally, patients require injections of liquid intravenously to enhance the images which are obtained. The MRI scanning time depends on the exact area of the body studied, but ranges from half an hour to an hour and a half.

Information above found on the following website on 8-16-2008
http://www.medicinenet.com/mri_scan/article.htm

State MRI Price No Contrast
List Updated 9-10-11
Thousands of locations available.
The lowest costs by state are listed below.
Prices may change without notice.
Prices vary by location and facility.
New facilities added daily.
All prices are all inclusive. 
There are no additional charges.

• Alabama MRI's starting at $380

• Arizona MRI's starting at $360

• Arkansas MRI's starting at $510

• California MRI's starting at $325

• Colorado MRI's starting at $510

• Connecticut MRI's starting at $830

• Delaware MRI's starting at $755

• District of Columbia MRI's starting at $555

• Florida MRI's starting at $335

• Georgia MRI's starting at $380

• Illinois MRI's starting at $380

• Indiana MRI's starting at $460

• Iowa MRI's starting at $830

• Kansas MRI's starting at $510

• Kentucky MRI's starting at $435

• Louisiana MRI's starting at $430

• Maryland MRI starting at $380

• Massachusetts MRI's starting at $580

• Michigan MRI's starting at $560

• Minnesota MRI's starting at $435

• Mississippi MRI's starting at $510

• Missouri MRI's starting at $380

• Montana MRI's starting at $955

• Nebraska MRI's starting at $435

• Nevada MRI's starting at $380

• New Jersey MRI's starting at $380

• New Mexico MRI's starting at $830

• New York MRI's starting at $335

• North Carolina MRI's starting at $585

• Ohio MRI's starting at $380

• Oklahoma MRI's starting at $510

• Oregon MRI's starting at $485

• Pennsylvania MRI's starting at $460

• Rhode Island MRI's starting at $680

• South Carolina MRI's starting at $510

• Tennessee MRI's starting at $435

• Texas MRI's starting at $380

• Utah MRI's starting at $540

• Virginia MRI's starting at $560

• Washington MRI's starting at $380

• Wisconsin MRI's starting at $435

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Last modified: September 17, 2012