Frequently asked questions

An MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is one of the safest and most advanced ways for doctors to look inside your body. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, MRIs do not use any radiation, making them exceptionally safe for most people, even if you need multiple scans. During an MRI, you'll relax on a comfortable bed that slides into a large, tunnel-shaped machine. An MRI uses strong magnetic fields to create incredibly detailed 3D images of your organs, tissues, and bones.

TrueScan provides full body MRIs that are safe (no harmful radiation), fast (less than an hour), and non-invasive (no contrast dye). Unlike traditional MRI scans that focus on specific body parts, TrueScan's comprehensive full-body MRI analyzes the body from head-to-ankle and can detect 500+ different conditions in a single session, enabling the early detection of cancer and disease. TrueScan invests extensively in custom hardware and software protocols to capture highest quality images.

A TrueScan full body MRI can detect over 500 different conditions in your your head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and legs for: 

• Cancers as early as Stage I
• Brain tumors and aneurysms
• Neurological conditions (i.e. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's)
• Non-cancerous conditions like cysts and hemangiomas
• Metabolic disorders (i.e. fatty liver, hemochromatosis)
• Auto-immune disorders like multiple sclerosis
• Spinal injuries or abnormalities

No, a TrueScan MRI does not exposure you to harmful radiation, unlike other forms of imaging such as CT scans, PET scans, and X-rays. Our scans also do not use use intravascular contrast dyes.

Yes. If required, we can arrange a referral from an independent medical practitioner at no cost to you. After booking your scan, you will receive an email with practice documents to complete. On the Appropriateness Review, just select "At no cost to me, I authorize a healthcare provider from an outside network to conduct an appropriateness review" and we'll take care of the rest. It may seem unnecessary, but a referral is intended to look after you in the event a significant medical finding is detected.

Almost everyone has some form of imaging abnormalities and findings. In many instances, though, these represent natural age-related changes or physical changes that are related to lifestyle or other modifiable factors. These findings may not require immediate clinical action, but they can provide clues to your associated risk of developing clinically-significant disease later in life.

In the era of sitting and prolonged screen time (on computers, tablets, or watching television), TrueScan detects some level of spinal degeneration in almost every patient. Additionally, many people have benign lesions, which are often referred to as "incidental findings." These findings are documented and can be used as a baseline for comparisons in future scans, thereby minimizing the chance these benign findings are mistaken for something more serious later on and enabling the detection of subtle, concerning changes over time.

The answer to this question is that it really depends. We utilize a 1.5T MRI for all of our scans. For whole-body imaging, 1.5T is preferred relative to 3T for a multitude of reasons. Although a 3T may be generally preferred for dedicated brain or joint studies, 3T performs worse for whole-body scans due to increased wavelength interference and a greater number of imaging artifacts, which reduces the quality of images. 3T MRIs also increase body temperature 4x more than a 1.5T MRI, which reduces the number of images that can be acquired during the same amount of time. Therefore, 3T MRIs are typically better for single body part evaluations, whereas 1.5T MRIs are better suited for whole-body scans.

Many people choose to get a TrueScan whole body MRI every 12 months to stay on top of their health or monitor any findings that were identified in previous scans. The radiologist who reads your scan will recommend a return date for a follow up scan according to your results.

No. Our scan is intended to serve as an adjunct to, but not replace, other established evidence-based screening practices for early detection of specific malignancies, such as dedicated breast imaging, colonoscopy, Pap-smear screening, and low-dose chest CT for high-risk patients.

No, not at this time. Although whole body MRIs can actually benefit insurance companies by helping prevent late-stage disease treatment, it could unfortunately take years before insurance companies recognize the utility of these scans.

You can drink water, black coffee, or tea on the day of your scan. You could be in the MRI machine for up to 75 minutes depending on your type of scan, so it is recommended to limit fluid intake.

We recommend that you fast for 4 hours before your scan so we can obtain the most accurate images of your stomach, bowel, and gallbladder.

It is perfectly safe to still have your scan. However, we will have a more obscured view of your stomach, bowel, and gallbladder.

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment. This will ensure you have enough time to complete any necessary paperwork, speak to our MRI technologist, change into your set of scrubs, and be ready to start your scan at the time of your scheduled appointment.

You do not need to dress a certain way for your scan. When you arrive, you will be guided to your private changing room and provided with a set of comfortable scrubs (you can leave your underwear on). Your room will also have a locker and safe to store any personal items or valuables.

Our wide-bore MRI machine can accommodate a table weight limit of up to 550 pounds. The diameter of our MRI machine is 70cm, so you must be smaller than 70 cm after the coils (equipment) have been placed on you.

When you arrive, you will be guided to a private changing room, which will have a locker and safe to store your belongings.

In most cases, no. If it is an emergency, we will get you out of the MRI machine to use the restroom. However, the high accuracy of our scans relies on you staying in the same position. After taking a break, it is likely that you will be in a different position, which could reduce the quality of images. If you suspect this will be a problem, you should limit your fluid intake on the day of your scan.

You cannot bring any metal or electronic devices into the MRI room as they can interfere with the scan and put you in danger. Never bring any of the following into the MRI room: jewelry (remove all piercings prior to your scan), coins, keys, cell phone, hearing aids, watch, and any other electronic devices or metal objects. A secure, private changing room will be provided to store your valuables.

Our open, wide-bore MRI machine enables most of your scan to be conducted with your head outside the magnet, which can greatly relieve claustrophobic feelings. Additionally, our MRI machine has a large bore (70 cm) to help make you feel more comfortable. Your doctor may prescribe you a sedative depending on the severity of your claustrophobia. Please arrange the sedative prior to your appointment and ensure you have a designated driver or alternative method of transportation for getting to and from your appointment. Alternatively, we can help coordinate a prescription for a sedative for you.

You will have a squeeze ball at all times during your scan. You can squeeze this at any time to alert the MRI technologist conducting your scan.

A TrueScan MRI does not use any harmful radiation or contrast, making it one of the safest imaging procedures available. The scanner is air-conditioned and you will always be in contact with an MRI technologist through a two-way intercom system. The MRI machine will produce thumping and humming noises during your scan. We have an entertainment system that allows you to stream your favorite music, movie, or show during your scan. Before entering the MRI scan room, you will be given an iPad to browse through the most popular platforms to select what you would like to stream. Supported platforms include Netflix, Spotify, Youtube, Youtube TV, and ESPN. With YouTube TV, you can access hundreds of channels. As you get comfortable on the MRI table, you will be provided a pair of audio-equipped, noise-canceling headphones. A large screen in the MRI machine allows you to watch the movie or TV show you selected, all in high-definition. 

It is important that you remain still while images are being acquired during your scan. If you move, it can reduce the quality of the images. We will make sure that you are as comfortable as possible for the scan, which should minimize the need to move.

The estimated duration of each scan that we offer can be found below: 

• Full body: 60 minutes
• Head & torso: 45 minutes
• Torso: 30 minutes

You will receive your report generally within 5-10 business days. We always do our best to release results earlier.

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We produce a detailed medical report that walks you through your results from head to ankle, identifying any abnormal findings. These findings are contextualized to make them easier to understand. You will also have access to all of your images.

You will receive an email that your report is ready to be viewed. This email will include a link to view your report and images.

A TrueScan medical practitioner will contact you once your report is ready to schedule a call to go over your results with you. This call is intended to help you better understand your results, but it is still highly recommended that you review your results with your referring medical provider.

At this time, we generally do not offer referrals directly to specialists. However, we are happy to collaborate with any of the medical providers that you currently have. We're also happy to work with your referring provider to ensure that you are well taken care of.

A radiologist, a physician specially trained in MRI and other radiology examinations, will review your images and create a detailed medical report. Our radiologists are fully licensed in the states they read in and are board-certified.

Yes. We follow federal and state legislation regarding retention of medical records. A benefit of retaining scans is that when you return for follow-up TrueScan MRIs, we can refer to prior baseline scans to monitor changes over time.

Your privacy and confidentiality of medical records is of upmost importance to us. We comply with privacy regulations in the jurisdictions we operate in.

We work Affirm to provide flexible financing solutions. If you are interested in financing, please give us a call and we will send you a link to book your scan using Affirm. Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check.

Your deposit is 100% refundable or transferable up to three business days before your appointment. Your cancellation deadline will be included in the email confirmation you receive after booking your appointment. After that deadline, your deposit will be no longer refundable or transferable.

We have a strict 3 business day cancellation policy. If you contact us more than three business days before your scheduled appointment, we are happy to accommodate changes or refund your deposit.

If you are claustrophobic or suspect you might be, you can ask your referring physician to prescribe a mild sedative for you to bring to your TrueScan appointment. However, please note that your deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable if you are unable to complete your scan on the day of.

Yes, we take payment to guarantee your appointment.

The blood-based Galleri Test and TrueScan's whole-body MRI provide complementary approaches to early detection. The Galleri Test can detect the presence of certain types of cancer, but a patient would still need to undergo imaging to confirm the presence and stage of cancer. A TrueScan MRI captures high-resolution images of your organs and tissues, allowing for the detection of over 500 different cancers and diseases.

The TrueScan whole body MRI is intended to serve as an adjunct to, but not replace, other established evidence-based screening practices for the early detection of specific malignancies such as dedicated breast imaging. Mammography remains the gold standard screening option for breast cancer. It is important to note that while the TrueScan whole body MRI images the breasts, it does not capture the same level of detail that a "dedicated breast MRI" does. A dedicated breast MRI utilizes specific MRI techniques and typically requires the use of contrast dyes. Therefore, the TrueScan whole body MRI can b considered an adjunct to, but not a replacement for, dedicated MRI breast imaging or breast cancer screening with mammography. As the breasts are imaged in the TrueScan whole body technique, any concerning abnormalities that are found in the breasts will be included in your report.

There are several advantages that make MRI a superior choice for screening for tumors. Firstly, MRI doesn't use harmful radiation, unlike CT scans. This  means we can theoretically perform MRI scans as frequently as needed without increasing the patient's risk of radiation-induced health issues. MRI can differentiate between various types of soft tissues much more effectively than CT, which primarily relies on density differences. This enhanced contrast allows MRI to detect subtle changes in tissue composition that might indicate the presence of a tumor, even in its early stages.
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MRI's multiparametric capabilities provide a wealth of information about tissue characteristics. Different MRI sequences (e.g. T1-weighted, T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted imaging) can reveal various aspects of tissue properties, helping to characterize tumors more accurately. For instance, diffusion-weighted imaging can help distinguish between benign and malignant lesions based on the movement of water molecules within tissues.

MRI also excels in imaging certain body areas where CT has limitations. For example, MRI is particularly effective for detecting brain tumors due to its superior contrast in neural tissues.

However, it is important to note that low-dose chest CT remains the gold standard for lung cancer screening.

CT scans use X-rays (with harmful radiation) to create cross-sectional images of the body, while MRI utilizes powerful magnets and radio waves to generate detailed images without the use of harmful radiation. Since MRIs do not use harmful radiation, they are much more suitable for whole body screening as you could perform scans as frequently as needed without increasing the risk of radiation-induced health issues.

MRI's superior soft tissue contrast is another major advantage in whole body screening. This allows for better detection and characterization of lesions in organs like the brain, liver, and pancreas.The multiparametric capabilities of MRI also provide valuable information in a single exam. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), for example, can help identify malignant lesions throughout the body. However, CT offers faster scan times and superior spatial resolution, which is particularly advantageous for lung screening. The radiation exposure from whole body CT is a significant concern, especially for repeated screening exams.

In conclusion, both CT and MRI have clinically important roles, but MRI's lack of harmful radiation and superior soft tissue contrast make it an attractive option for comprehensive whole body screening, particularly when repeated exams are necessary.

Neither MRI or ultrasound utilize harmful radiation. However, these technologies differ significantly in their applications and capabilities for whole-body screening.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves emitted from a handheld probe to generate images of internal structures. It's widely available, relatively inexpensive, and often used as a first-line diagnostic tool for many focal clinical concerns. For instance, ultrasound has a high sensitivity for detecting thyroid nodules, making it an excellent initial screening tool for thyroid pathologies. However, ultrasound has limitations that make it less suitable for whole-body screening. Its effectiveness is reduced when imaging through bone or gas-filled structures, and image quality can deteriorate when examining deeper tissues, especially in larger patients.

MRI, on the other hand, uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the entire body. It excels in soft tissue contrast and can image deep structures without the limitations faced by ultrasound. While both modalities are radiation-free, MRI is better suited for whole-body screening due to its comprehensive imaging capabilities.

It's worth noting that ultrasound and MRI can serve complementary roles. Ultrasound can provide additional characterization of lesions seen on MRI. For instance, in thyroid imaging, combining MRI and ultrasound features improved the accuracy of predicting thyroid nodule malignancy compared to either modality alone.

PET/CT combines functional imaging from PET with anatomical imaging from CT. The PET component, typically using FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose), detects areas of high metabolic activity often associated with cancer cells, while the CT provides detailed anatomical information. MRI, on the other hand, uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to provide detailed anatomical and functional information, offering excellent soft tissue contrast without using harmful radiation.

Radiation exposure is a key differentiator. PET/CT involves exposure to harmful radiation from both the radiotracer (FDG) and the CT component. A PET/CT scan exposes you to about 25 mSv of radiation, which is equal to about 8 years of average background radiation exposure. Since MRI does not use harmful radiation, it is the preferred imaging choice for screening.

FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is a radioactive form of glucose (sugar). It's the most common tracer used in PET scans. Cancer cells often grow and divide rapidly, requiring more energy than normal cells. To fuel this growth, they typically consume more glucose. Before a PET/CT scan, the patient is injected with FDG, which circulates around the body and cells absorb it. Cancer cells absorb more FDG than surrounding tissues, making them appear as "bright spots" on the scan. The CT scan, performed in the same session, provides detailed anatomical images. This helps pinpoint the exact location of any hot spots seen on the PET scan.

Some cancers might be missed with PET/CT scans. Very small, early-stage tumors might not absorb enough FDG to stand out from the background activity. Certain types of cancer do not absorb FDG well, such as neuroendocrine tumors, making them less likely to be detected. While the CT part of PET/CT doesn't directly show metabolic activity, it can sometimes reveal structural abnormalities that might indicate cancer, even if the PET component doesn't show increased FDG uptake.

No, we are not able to scan people with pacemakers as there is a risk that the MRI magnetic fields will interrupt its operation.

Yes, you can get a scan if you have tattoos. There is a small chance of warming in the area of the tattoo, but this very rarely occurs. Please inform our MRI technologist about your tattoos before entering the MRI room.

If there is a possibility of metal objects (e.g. metal shavings, fragments, slivers, fabric) in your body, especially in the eyes, we will require a quick X-ray to ensure it is safe for you to do an MRI scan. Please contact us at least 10 days prior to your scan so that we can arrange the X-ray.

It depends what type of cochlear implant you have. We will ask you to provide us information on your implant to verify whether or not you can safely receive an MRI. It is important to note that even if it is safe to conduct the MRI, the implant will likely affect the quality of imaging that we can perform of the head.

No negative effects have been observed due to having an MRI while pregnant. There is a risk of causing hearing problems in the fetus due to the noise emitted by the MRI machine. Therefore, we avoid performing MRI scans while you are pregnant.

Yes, almost all IUDs are MRI-safe. However, we will still need to confirm the model of your IUD. Common MRI-safe IUDs are the Copper T and Mirena.

Almost all prosthetic implants are MRI-safe, but we will need to know more about your specific implant to confirm. There is a chance, though, that the implant will impact the image quality oft the surrounding tissues.

It depends on the model. Some neurostimulators have an MRI mode that can be switched on prior to your scan. We will need to confirm the model of your neurostimulator before your scan.

It depends on the type of clip. We will need more information on the type of clip you have to confirm its safety. MRIs can be performed if you have a non-ferromagnetic aneurysm clip.

No, you must be at least 18 years old to receive a TrueScan MRI.

Yes, however, there will be extra precautions taken to ensure your safety. Please inform us about your condition prior to the day of your scan.

Yes, this is completely safe.

Although some infusion pumps are MRI-safe, it depends on the model. We will ask you to provide us with the model number of your pump to verify whether or not you can safely receive an MRI.