MRI

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a large magnet, radio waves and a computer — not ionizing radiation — to produce extraordinarily detailed images of virtually any structure in your body: bones, muscles, connective tissue, and organs such as the heart, lungs, liver or kidneys. That makes MRI both powerful and safe, even for repeat imaging.

A more comfortable MRI experience

The MRI units at our Lennon Road, Southgate and Novi locations feature a shorter, wider bore designed around patient comfort. Many exams can be performed with your head outside the machine, which substantially reduces anxiety for patients who feel claustrophobic. Our technologists will talk you through every step and check on you throughout the scan.

Why your physician may order an MRI

MRI excels at soft-tissue detail: detecting tumors, imaging the brain and spinal cord, evaluating joints and sports injuries, examining the heart and blood vessels, and characterizing findings first seen on other exams. Specialty protocols — including prostate MRI, breast MRI and whole-body screening — are described on their own pages.

What to expect

You’ll lie on a padded table that slides into the scanner. The exam is painless, but the machine makes knocking or tapping sounds — we offer hearing protection, and our team stays in constant contact with you. Exams typically last 15 to 60 minutes depending on the body region and protocol. Some studies use gadolinium contrast, which is different from X-ray or CT contrast. Your images are read by a fellowship-trained radiologist and your report is posted to the patient portal as soon as it’s approved.