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Abdomen Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool for screening and diagnosis. Many consider it to be the best way to detect diseases in their earliest, most treatable stage.

The exam is non-invasive, uses no radiation, and our state-of-the-art equipment offers a more comfortable imaging experience. Your health care practitioner may order an abdomen MRI to investigate any concerns in your abdominal area, or to examine:

  • Blood flow or blood vessels
  • Liver, pancreas, and kidneys
  • Lymph nodes
  • The cause of pain or swelling

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?

  • SASKATCHEWAN PATIENTS: Please call the clinic directly if you need to reschedule (Regina: 1-306-569-9729 ext. 3; Saskatoon: 1-306-664-8600).
  • 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.
  • Take all prescribed medications as directed.
  • No food or drink for four hours before your exam.
  • 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.
  • In Regina, if an X-ray is required, you will need to arrive 45 minutes before your appointment, unless it’s a 7 or 7:30 am appointment. If your MRI is scheduled outside of X-ray hours, you will need to come during X-ray hours.
  • Bring photo identification and your provincial health card.
  • 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.
  • If a contrast solution is needed, we will insert an intravenous (IV) line.
  • Once the IV is in place 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, your IV will be removed (if you have one) and you are free to leave.

WHEN WILL I GET MY RESULTS?

We do our best to have our radiologists interpret the information and forward the results to your doctor in a timely manner. Please consult with your doctor regarding your results and any follow up exams or questions.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

In Calgary, MRI exams are provided at our Mayfair Place location as private pay exams and are not covered by Alberta Health Care. Prices are per body area. If additional body areas are scheduled within the same appointment, discounts apply. We also offer a 10% Seniors discount (65+) that can be applied to the first MRI exam.

In Saskatchewan, we provide MRIs as a publicly funded, community-based service under contract with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and as a private pay exam. Private MRI services in Saskatchewan are provided in accordance with and under the legislation of the Province of Saskatchewan. Pricing is per body area, similar to Alberta pricing (with similar discounts).

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 that if contrast is needed, it’s an additional cost of $250.

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.

DURATION

30-60 minutes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What diseases can you detect with MRI imaging?
MRI is excellent for diagnosing diseases of the brain, spine, skeleton, abdomen, and soft tissues. It is also effective in assessing the severity of and informing the most effective treatment of delicate injuries in bones and soft tissues like muscle and cartilage.
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.

Start a career with Mayfair Diagnostics — one of Western Canada’s leading medical imaging teams.

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, we’ve been helping people f ind clarity for their health for over 100 years. At our clinics in Calgary and area, Regina, and Saskatoon, our team of radiologists, technologists, and support staff work in a truly integrated way to provide exceptional experiences for our patients. Joining our team is more than a job. It’s an investment in your future — a plan for success.

OUR PEOPLE

Our people share our quest to make a difference in our patient’s lives. We’re a team of professionals, disciplined in our skills and compassionate with our patients, providing the care and attention they need. At our core, we are a trusted partner in our patients’ health care journey. Our patients, physicians, and other health care providers rely on us for quality imaging to help manage their patient’s health care decisions with certainty. But our business is about more than just imaging. It’s about building lasting relationships and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we meet.

OUR VISION

A world in which every person has clarity about their health. We push the boundaries of what is possible and embrace change as an opportunity. We strive to be thought leaders and encourage creativity by providing a safe place for calculated risk taking. We learn from our mistakes. 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.