Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Better diagnoses with
amazing detail without
radiation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to produce pictures of organs and structures inside the body.
MRI will often provide physicians with more information and detail than that provided by other imaging methods.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center is accredited in three areas of MRI: routine imaging, consisting of neuro, musculoskeletal (MSK), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and body imaging; breast and cardiac imaging, which require additional training and consist of their own accreditation process.
While some communities are just beginning to offer those services, Cookeville Regional has been leading the Upper Cumberland with some of those services for more than 15 years.
The MRI technologists at Cookeville Regional are all registered technologists committed to 24 hours of continuing education bi-annually to maintain their licensure. In addition to those requirements, Cookeville Regional requires that each technologist acquire MRI safety training and complete job performance competencies annually, all assuring you the best and safest health care today.
From 3T, breast, prostate and cardiac MRI, patients can rest assured that the best technology will find any issues that need to be resolved.
3T MRI
One of the most advanced systems of its type, the 3T MRI is currently the strongest magnet available for use in a clinical setting and allows our radiologists to get wonderfully clear pictures of many parts of the body to help your physician with a more precise diagnosis as well as earlier detection of disease in many cases. It is especially useful in imaging of the joints, extremities, brain, spinal cord and breast and when there is a need to see smaller features or more parts of the body at the same time.
The 3T MRI utilizes technology that allows more space and greater comfort for the patient as compared to the traditional MRI. In many cases, exams with the 3T are also much faster.
PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Go about normal activities and take any prescribed medications, as ordered by your physician.
You will be asked to change into hospital-provided clothing.
If you are a female between the ages of 10 and 60, notify the technologist if you are pregnant.
Breast MRI
Cookeville Regional is the first hospital in the Upper Cumberland to perform breast MRI. We are part of the Breast Center at Cookeville Regional, which has been recognized by the American College of Radiology as a “Breast Center of Excellence.”
In addition to being a part of a Breast Center of Excellence, all of Cookeville Regional’s MRI breast imaging is performed on the 3 Tesla MRI scanner, double the resolution over the average 1.5 Tesla scanner.
Cardiac MRI
Cookeville Regional is the only facility in the Upper Cumberland offering this unique service. We have a dedicated team of cardiologists with Dr. Ashley Nickerson leading our Cardiovascular Advanced Imaging Services. The MRI cardiac imager is one of the most advanced scanners on the market today, providing patients with some of the best diagnostic studies available.
Prostate MRI
Cookeville Regional is the only facility in the Upper Cumberland region that offers prostate MRI exams. While we currently do not do multiparametric prostate MRI, we are a leader in the imaging of the prostate, guiding patients and physicians in the next phase of treatment. This exam can be performed at the Outpatient Imaging Center on our 3 Tesla MRI scanner. The 3T allows us the technology to perform this exam with no invasive measures providing a much more pleasant experience for the patient.
How will I get my results?
An interpreting physician (usually a radiologist) will read your exam and make a final diagnosis. Their interpretation will be converted to a written report, which will be sent to the physician who ordered your exam. Your physician should present the findings of your exam to you. You may also sign up for a patient portal account at mycrmchealth.org to read your results online.