IBJI MRI & CT Services
Everything You Need in One Location
After opening its first MRI facility in 1999, IBJI MRI & CT Services has kept pace with the rapid growth of Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, one of the nation’s largest musculoskeletal groups. Today, we currently have ten MRI centers and two CT scanners, setting a new standard in medical imaging. Conveniently located in the same facilities as Illinois Bone & Joint Institute Physician Clinics and Rehab Centers, we have everything you need in one location. You can see your doctor, receive therapy, and get a diagnostic test all in one place, because your time and convenience matter to us. At each location, you’ll find qualified, dedicated, and service-oriented staff working to provide you with most complete and accurate medical imaging possible.
Upgraded MRI Diagnostic Services in Illinois
IBJI MRI upgrades and maintains its equipment to the highest standards. Not all MRI centers do. All of our MRI sites are accredited by the American College of Radiology, recognizing our commitment to quality. To achieve the highest-quality results for our patients, we work to stay on the leading edge of technological innovation while paying special attention to our patient comfort and concerns. Our most recent innovations include the addition of several advanced MRI and CT systems. Each of these upgraded systems offer less-restrictive designs, ensuring the best combination of pristine image definition and unparalleled patient comfort:
- 3T High-Field Wide-Bore MRI – A high-performance scanner in our Gurnee facility with one of the largest bores available (71cm) to accommodate every patient shape.
- 1.5T High-Field Open-Bore MRI – This unit in our Chicago facility offers 90% sound reduction technology and one of the largest bores (71cm) for patient comfort.
- 1.5T Echelon Oval High-Field MRI – Available in both our Morton Grove and Libertyville facilities, this ultra wide-bore MRI system offers fast, high-resolution images of a high-field MRI with patient comfort in mind.
- 1.2T High-Field Open MRI – One in Bannockburn and one in Wilmette, this open MRI system high-resolution images, faster scan times, and a spacious design that’s open on all sides.
- Extremity CT System – Available in our IBJI Glenview MRI facility, we’ve added an extremity CT scanner that offers high quality images, lower extremity scans, upper extremity scans and weight bearing scans of the foot, ankle, and knee.
Why IBJI MRI & CT Services?
What separates us from the rest? IBJI MRI & CT offers a full range of diagnostic imaging care – MRI, CT, and Arthrograms – delivered by an experienced team of board-certified radiologists, technologists, and patient-centered receptionists. Through our team, we offer optimal imaging for our patients, providing you with a comfortable, high quality imaging experience that’s affordable and convenient. We also offer excellent, accurate, and integrated care for you with:
- 10 Convenient Locations
- Advanced Technology
- Flexible and Prompt Scheduling
- Appointments in 24 Hours or Less
- Low-Cost, High-Value Services for Our Patients
- STAT Reads
- Immediate Image Access
Advanced MRI and CT Imaging in Chicagoland
Do you need an MRI or CT scan? IBJI MRI & CT Services offers several advanced MRI and CT options with your comfort in mind. Find the location nearest to you or contact any of our MRI centers to request an appointment. We promise to help you move better and live better.
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is an established medical procedure that may help your physician quickly diagnose your condition or injury. Painless and non-invasive, MRI causes no known side effects and does not utilize radiation. MRI uses magnetic frequencies to obtain detailed images of structures within your body.
MRI can provide your physician with images of body structures that may otherwise not be seen. Your physician can use the information gained from these images to detect disease or injury and effectively make treatment decisions.
CT is one of the fastest tools for examining the sinuses, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Physicians routinely request CT Scans for muscles, joints, the spine and the neck, but also for urography, kidney conditions, pelvic cysts and tumors, abdominal pain, and ear, nose, and throat conditions. Also, optimal scans are possible for patients with pacemakers, implanted devices, and prosthetics.
The MRI procedure takes only 45 to 60 minutes to complete. Each procedure usually includes several sets of scans, with each taking five to ten minutes. On the other hand a CT scan usually takes from 15 to 45 minutes.
As a patient, you will lie on a comfortable table within the interior of the MRI or a CT scanner, which is lighted and ventilated for your comfort. Each scanner produces a gentle pulsing or tapping sound during the imaging process. Throughout the procedure, you will be in contact with a registered MRI technologist via intercom.
It is important to remain as still as possible while the scanner is in operation so that it can capture the most accurate images possible. For your comfort, we can play your choice of music from your favorite Online Radio Station such as Pandora, CD, iPod or any other MP3 player during most imaging procedures.
Patients with cardiac pacemakers, implanted medical devices, prosthetics, or metallic splinter injuries are welcome to have a CT scan. However, please inform us if you have any of these metallic objects while scheduling. Also, please inform us immediately if any of the following are true of you:
• A history of kidney failure.
• Been taking any blood thinners, such as Heparin, Coumadin, etc.
• A history of multiple myeloma, high blood pressure, or sickle cell anemia.
• Diabetes or diabetic conditions.
• Been taking Metformin or Glucophage medication.
If you have claustrophobia or anxiety, please discuss these conditions with your doctor prior to your MRI appointment. Your doctor may recommend taking a mild sedative before your procedure or having your procedure performed in one of our open MRI scanners rather than a closed MRI. An open MRI allows the scanning to take place without placing you inside of a closed bore.
Since our CT scanner is spacious in width and shallow in depth, claustrophobia rarely effects patients being examined.
Please note that we do not carry or administer sedative medications at IBJI MRI Services so be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to your scheduled exam time. If you do take a sedative prior to your exam, you should arrange to have someone drive you to and from your appointment.
Our IBJI MRI Services staff will do everything possible to make sure you comfortable before proceeding with and during your scan.
Your MRI or CT images are transmitted digitally in a secured network to a radiologist, a doctor who specializes in interpreting MRI and CT scans. Within one business day after your MRI and CT exam is completed, the radiologist will produce a report that reflects the results of your scan for your physician. Typically your physician will then discuss the results of your scan with you during your follow up appointment. A copy of your MRI or CT scan will be provided to you on a CD disk soon after the scan is completed. Please note: Your physician is the only person authorized to discuss your MRI or CT scan results with you.
CT is one of the fastest tools for examining the sinuses, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Physicians routinely request CT Scans for muscles, joints, the spine and the neck, but also for urography, kidney conditions, pelvic cysts and tumors, abdominal pain, and ear, nose, and throat conditions. Also, optimal scans are possible for patients with pacemakers, implanted devices, and prosthetics.
CT, or computed tomography, is also a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that physicians utilize in the detection of internal medical conditions. Internal organs, soft tissues, bones, and blood vessels can all be viewed with greater detail and precision than typical x-ray exams.
- Brain – including eye sockets and brain stem
- Spine – cervical, thoracic and lumbar sections – and neck soft tissue
- Upper joints and extremities, including shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
- Lower joints and extremities, including hip, knee, ankle and foot
- Pelvis
- Internal organs
- Blood vessels in the brain and neck
Three related tests, MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) and MR arthrography and post MR Arthrograms use the same technology as MRI. MRA scans produces detailed images of blood vessels. MR arthrography provides images of joints and the spaces within them. MR Arthrograms feature a mixture of dilute noninfused iodinated contrast and gadolinium contrast is injected to the affected joint space utilizing fluoroscopic guidance and asceptic technique. CT Arthrograms function in a similar way, except that CT is utilized, rather than MRI.
Most patients can comfortably undergo an MRI scan. However, metallic objects may cause artifacts and effect the image quality of the scans. Individuals with certain conditions that may interfere with an MRI either should either not undergo an MRI scan, consider having a CT scan per your Physician’s orders, or need to make special arrangements prior to the exam. Please inform us immediately if you have any of the following:
• A cardiac pacemaker. You cannot will not be able to have an MRI with IBJI MRI Services. Please contact your doctor to arrange for an alternate type of imaging, such as a CT scan with IBJI MRI Services.
• A prosthetic heart valve.
• A surgical clip or any metallic implant.
• Aneurysm clips.
• Cochlear implants.
• Neurostimulators.
• Held a job in the metal working industry or where you may have been exposed to metallic dust or splinters.
• Suffered a shrapnel wound.
• Metallic chips or splinters in the eye.
• Been told you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant.
In some cases, your doctor may order a contrast agent to produce higher image resolution that aids the radiologist in the interpretation of the MRI scan. The contrast agent is a fluid consisting primarily of water that is injected intravenously into an arm vein. Prior to receiving the contrast agent, you will be asked about allergies to contrast media, previous reactions to contrast agents, and other questions about your personal health history.
For your CT scan, your doctor may order one of two contrast agents, or both, to aid your scan. One form of contrast media is taken orally, and the other is injected intravenously. For all CT scans, please drink plenty of fluids the day before and on the day of your CT scan. Also, please continue taking medications, unless otherwise directed.
Yes, one adult is allowed, as long as the person does not have a cardiac pacemaker or any of the other conditions outlined above that can interfere with the MRI.
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