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Whole Body Imaging

This non-invasive, multi-dimensional screening view of the body using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to evaluate possible conditions before they become a concern, allowing you to better manage your health. State-of-the-art whole body imaging may lead to early diagnosis, allowing you to achieve peace of mind and better manage your health.

Whole body imaging (WBI) takes approximately one hour and evaluates:

  • The brain, including its major blood vessels.
  • The spine and spinal cord.
  • The major organs of the body, including the salivary and thyroid glands, lymphatic system, liver, gallbladder, biliary system, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, bladder, uterus, ovaries, prostate and testes.
  • The lungs and bowel are not optimally assessed with MRI but supplemental low-dose CT of the lungs and colon can be obtained as an add-on.
  • Dedicated evaluation of the major joints of the body is also available as an add-on.

Whole body imaging has the ability to detect hundreds of different conditions including many types of early-stage cancer, multiple sclerosis, brain aneurysms, narrowing of the arteries, ischemic injury, vascular malformations, various metabolic disorders, disc herniations, endometriosis, neurodegenerative disorders and spinal degeneration.

Mayfair whole body scans will be interpreted and reported by sub-specialty-trained radiologists with extensive oncologic-imaging interpretation experience.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?

  • Please let us know if you are, or may be, pregnant, or if you’ve had recent surgery.
  • Please also inform us if you have metal in your body. Here is a list of metal objects that may be a concern. Your technologist may ask you to remove any metallic objects, which are unsafe near the MRI magnet.
  • Wear comfortable clothes free of metal zippers or buttons, including metal-free underwear.
  • Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check in with reception.
  • Bring photo identification, your provincial health card, and your requisition.
  • Take all prescribed medications as directed.
  • Children may have parents in the exam room with them.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY EXAM?

  • You may be asked to change into a gown or scrubs.
  • Your technologist will position you on the cushioned scanner table in the MRI suite. We will do our best to make you comfortable.
  • An MRI can be loud, so you will be provided with headphones or ear plugs to reduce the noise. Eye masks are available upon request for patients who have difficulty relaxing in a confined space. You are also given an emergency call bell to stop the exam, if needed.
  • Once you are relaxed and comfortable, a sensor will be positioned around the body part being scanned. The table will then move slowly into the MRI scanner, which is well lit and ventilated.
  • You will be asked to hold very still, as movement may result in blurring of images. Your technologist will be close by at all times.
  • You may be asked to hold your breath for some of the images. Breath holds can last between 5-25 seconds.
  • Once we have successfully captured your images, you are free to leave.

WHEN WILL I GET MY RESULTS?

Once your images have been gathered, they will be reviewed by a Mayfair radiologist who will generate a report that will be sent to your referring doctor within five business days. Your doctor will review your images and the report from the radiologist and discuss any next steps with you. Please consult with your doctor regarding your results and any follow up exams or questions.

PLEASE NOTE: Whole body imaging supplements but is not intended to replace other established evidence-based screening practices for the early detection of specific malignancies (e.g., breast imaging, colonoscopy, Pap-smear screening for cervical cancer, low-dose chest CT). As with any medical exam or test, whole body imaging is not guaranteed to detect all malignancies and diseases.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This exam is only available in Alberta. WBI exams are provided at our Mayfair Place location as private pay exams for $3,600, and are not covered by Alberta Health Care. Lung CT and/or joint MRI add-ons are an additional fee.

We also offer a 10% Seniors discount (65+) that can be applied to the first MRI exam.

Your health spending account or group medical insurance plan may cover the cost of a private MRI that is prescribed by a qualified health care practitioner. You will need to check with your plan administrator for coverage details.

PLEASE NOTE:

Please bring the following to your appointment: a valid government-issued ID, your provincial health card, and your exam requisition (if you have received one).

FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Please ensure that you bring your requisition with you to your appointment.

QUESTIONS?

DURATION

60 minutes

LOCATION

PRICING

  • Alberta MRI Price List

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need a doctor's referral?
Yes, all Mayfair scans require a referral from your health care provider. Please download a referral form.
Is the procedure loud?
You'll hear loud knocking sounds. These sounds are normal and should not worry you. Despite the loud noise, the technologist operating the machine will be able to hear you if you have questions or concerns. We will provide you with headphones to listen to music and help muffle the noise. You are also given an emergency call bell to stop the exam, if needed.
Are there size or weight restrictions?
Mayfair's wide-bore MRI scanners offer a much more comfortable imaging experience, especially for larger patients or those who are prone to anxiety in tight spaces. Feet first scanning capacity, flexible design configurations, and variable density padding provide optimal patient comfort. If you're nervous about sizing, measure your body at the widest point (usually across your abdomen or from shoulder to shoulder) and if the measurement is less than 70 centimetres, you should fit. If you are claustrophobic, you can come in for a fitting at NO charge to make sure you will be comfortable during the exam. Patients whose weight exceeds 226 kilograms (500 lbs) may be unable to have a scan.
How reliable are the procedures?
As with most screening procedures, MRI scans are not perfect, nor are they proven to find everything they're looking for. Some abnormalities are too small to find, or they may be hidden near other normal structures. Mayfair's exams are most beneficial when taken into the context of your medical history.
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Our Culture

We foster a supportive and collaborative culture designed to encourage positive patient experiences and build strong working relationships across the organization:

  • We recognize each other for our contributions – big and small.
  • We focus on teamwork and personal accountability to achieve our goals.
  • When we commit to deadlines, we complete the work as promised, by when we promised. If we realize we can’t keep our commitments, we collaborate to find new deadlines well in advance of the original ones.
  • We feel safe to speak up responsibly. That means we freely share what’s on our minds in a way that is respectful and supports the success of the organization.
  • We commit to our patients and their needs. We show up each day ready to live our vision, mission, and values.
  • We challenge each other to grow and develop our skills and we support each other to do so.
  • Above all, we go the extra mile to support our patients and colleagues. 

Our Values.

Our core values shape the way we work with patients, partners, and fellow employees. And, more than anything else, they’re what set Mayfair apart. In everything we do, this is what we strive for:

EXCELLENCE

We share a commitment to high quality and excellence in all that we do. This commitment calls on all of us to achieve the very best of our capabilities and exceed our own expectations.

CURIOSITY

We innovate in everything, from services to processes. We believe meaningful change and effective problem solving come only by looking at challenges and opportunities from new angles and by exercising our creativity and curiosity.

PASSION

We show pride, enthusiasm, and dedication in everything that we do. We are committed to producing and delivering high-quality results and services. We are passionate about our industry and about our company, services, partners, and patients.

COLLABORATION

Our team is supportive of each other’s efforts; we are loyal to one another; and we care for one another both personally and professionally. We promote and support a diverse, yet unified, team. We work together to meet our common goals across Mayfair clinics, locations, and geographies. Only through collaboration on ideas, technologies, and talents can we achieve our mission and vision.

SERVICE

We take pride in delivering exceptional service every day. We listen to every request with an open mind, always looking for opportunities to go above and beyond to create memorable, personalized experiences. We take responsibility to answer our referrers’ and patients’ requests and respect their time by always responding with a sense of urgency.

Start with us.

Join Mayfair Diagnostics, recognized as one of Western Canada’s premier medical imaging organizations. With a century-long legacy and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Mayfair Diagnostics is dedicated to assisting patients in achieving clarity regarding their health.

Operating clinics in Calgary and surrounding areas, Regina, and Saskatoon, our multidisciplinary team of radiologists, technologists, and support staff collaborate seamlessly to deliver high quality patient care. Working here is more than just a job; it’s a strong step towards your future.

OUR TEAMS

We are a dedicated group of professionals who combine skill with compassion to deliver attentive care to our patients. As a reliable partner in their health care journey, we provide high-quality imaging that assists patients, physicians, and other providers in making informed health decisions. Our work goes beyond imaging; it’s about fostering relationships and positively impacting everyone we serve.

OUR VISION

We envision a world where every person has clarity about their health. We innovate and welcome change, promoting leadership and creativity through safe risk-taking. We share best practices, earn peer recognition for our work, and engage top talent to reach our goals.

We strive to be thought leaders and encourage creativity by providing a safe place for calculated risk taking.

We share best practices across our operations and are recognized by our peers for our work. We engage the best to help propel us forward in achieving our goals.