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A body composition profile using magnetic resonance imaging (BCP MRI) uses a powerful magnetic and radiofrequency waves and an artificial intelligence and bioinformatics platform from AMRA® to measure the percentage of fat, bone, and muscle in your body. This can tell you what percentage of your body weight is fat and help indicate how healthy you are.
Finding your individual body composition profile is important because your fat to muscle ratio can be different from someone who is the same height, weight, and age as you. Your scale can only tell you your weight, not how much fat and muscle mass you have. Similarly, body mass index (BMI) only tells you the ratio of your weight to your height; it doesn’t measure body fat.
Without the use of radiation, BCP provides an individualized description of a person’s body composition based on a rapid, non-invasive MRI scan. This allows for a greater understanding of your body and the ability to personalize clinical care. It provides a greater depth of information than BMI, allowing a detailed look at your tissue. Learn more about BCP MRI.
Once your images have been gathered, they will be sent to AMRA® for analysis. Once data processing with AMRA® is complete, it is verified by a Mayfair radiologist who will also review all acquired imaging and generate a report that will be sent to your referring doctor within five business days.
This report will provide patient-specific body composition profile measurements and comparisons to reference data ranges, giving context to the results. Each measurement is visualized in a bar plot, where each patient’s information is presented in relation to the distribution within a body-size and sex-specific reference population.
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.
This exam is only available in Alberta. BCP MRI exams are provided at our Mayfair Place location as private pay exams and are not covered by Alberta Health Care. Prices are per scan. For the first or a single scan, BCP MRI is $980. For follow-up scan, it’s $850 per scan up to a maximum of four scans total. Pricing for body composition profile follow-up scans applies only if additional scans are booked at the same time as the first scan. All scans must be completed within 12 months of the first scan.
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 bring the following to your appointment: a valid government-issued ID, your provincial health card, and your exam requisition (if you have received one).
Please ensure that you bring your requisition with you to your appointment.
30-60 minutes
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Computed tomography (CT) is an advanced imaging system that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce comprehensive images of your abdomen. CT scans give a much more detailed picture than regular X-rays and can identify many conditions that may escape detection on other imaging tests.
Your health care practitioners may order an abdomen CT scan to examine one of the following (or, for a more comprehensive exam, a combined abdomen/pelvis CT):
A cause of pain or swelling.
Lymph nodes or blood vessels.
The kidney or bladder.
The liver, pancreas, or spleen.
The small or large bowel.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?
WITHOUT CONTRAST: If contrast is not used, you will need to fast for two hours prior to your appointment.
ORAL CONTRAST: If oral contrast is prescribed, you will need to fast for four hours prior to your appointment and arrive two hours prior to your exam, unless otherwise specified at the time of booking.
IV CONTRAST: If oral contrast and/or IV contrast is prescribed, please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check-in with reception.
Bring photo identification and your provincial health card.
Please do not drink coffee, tea, or juice six hours prior to your exam.
