With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), you can take detailed pictures of the inside of your body by using powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer. The results of this test can be used by your doctor for diagnosing you or to determine how well your treatment has worked. CT scans and X-rays use ionizing radiation that can damage the body, but MRIs do not.
 
An MRI can help a doctor diagnose a disease or injury and monitor how well you’re responding to a treatment. Different parts of your body can be scanned with an MRI. In particular, soft tissues and the nervous system can be examined with this technique.

MRI machines resemble long, narrow tubes that have both ends open. You lie down on a movable table that slides into the tube’s opening and by using a microphone, you can communicate with them. Radio waves are directed at your body by the MRI machine, which creates a strong magnetic field around you. There are no moving parts around you, and you can’t feel the magnetic field or radio waves. The internal part of the magnet produces repetitive tapping, thumping, and other noises during the MRI scan. If you want to block out the noise, you might be given earplugs or have music playing.
 
Contrast material, usually gadolinium, may be injected through an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your hand or arm; certain details are enhanced by the use of this contrast material. There are very few allergic reactions associated with gadolinium. The duration of an MRI can range from 15 minutes to more than an hour. It is important to remain still when taking pictures since movement can blur them.
 
You may be asked to do a number of small tasks during a functional MRI, such as movements or answering simple questions. The attending physician can pinpoint which parts of your brain control these actions this way. The MRI results will typically be made available to patients within one to two weeks.

Outpatient radiology services are available at North Tex MedCare. Our outpatient referral centers are located all around the DFW area for your convenience. And fast and effective walk-in services are available. For the most part, MRIs are rarely available without a referral. In instances when MRIs are available without a referral and patients elect to undergo the test, they may not have access to insurance coverage. Typically, insurance coverage for MRIs is available when the testing is deemed medically necessary which occurs after a referral has been issued. But please contact us before coming to confirm if insurance is applicable or not.

While many urgent care centers do not provide MRIs, there are others such as North Tex MedCare that do. Receiving an MRI at an urgent care center rather than visiting a hospital or emergency room can save you time and money. It can be expensive to see an emergency room because numerous tests are usually performed to diagnose the problem, and your child may receive intensive treatment. There are several types of diagnostic tests performed in an emergency room, including blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, and MRIs.
 
Before electing to visit an urgent care center for an MRI it is important to be certain they are available. It is common for urgent care centers to have more testing options on hand than a walk-in clinic, including X-Rays, echocardiograms, and ultrasounds, but MRIs remain rare. However, by simply calling the clinic or looking for details on their website you can discern whether or not MRI tests are available.
 
MRI tests are available at North Tex MedCare. We serve patients from Fort Worth TX, Addison TX, Carrollton TX, Richardson TX, Farmers Branch TX, Hebron TX, Forest Hill TX, North Richland Hills TX, White Settlement TX, and Highland Park TX.