IF YOU HAVEN’T had an MRI
before, you may be a little uneasy the
first time your doctor suggests one.
Will it hurt? Is it dangerous? Will it
help?
Rest assured. This advanced imaging
test is painless, noninvasive and safe. It’s
a powerful tool that can help your doc-
tor evaluate many medical conditions.
What’s an MRI?
MRI stands for magnetic resonance
imaging. It provides detailed views of
internal organs, soft tissues, bones and
other structures.
Instead of x-rays, MRI uses a
magnetic field, radio waves and a
computer to create images that can be
viewed in cross sections from a number
of angles. MRI images are often more
detailed than those from standard
x-rays, computed tomography (CT)
scans or ultrasound.
An MRI can help a doctor accurate-
ly evaluate organs like the brain, heart
and liver; joints like the knee, shoulder
and ankle; and even blood vessels and
bile ducts.
Among other things, your doctor may
also use an MRI to spot tumors or gauge
the extent of a sports-related injury.
How to prepare
Getting ready for an MRI is simple.
“Unless you’re told otherwise, eat and
drink normally and take medications
as prescribed,” explains Nick Contrivo,
RT(R)(CT)(MR)(ARRT), Medical
Imaging Manager at Carson Valley
Medical Center (CVMC).
Contrivo recommends that patients
leave any unneeded accessories at
home. “We ask that patients remove
his or her watch and jewelry, eyeglasses,
hearing aids, and any medication
patches or removable dental work.”
The main precaution is to avoid
bringing metallic objects into the
examination area. You don’t want any-
thing interfering with—or being drawn
to—the strong magnetic field.
Also, tell your doctor and technolo-
gist if you have any medical devices,
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WallaWalla,
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Permit No. 44
CARSON VALLEY
MEDICAL CENTER
1107 U.S. Highway 395 N.
Gardnerville, NV 89410
Our family, taking
care of your family
Meet two of your local healthcare providers,
serving the residents and visitors of the
Carson Valley:
Garrett Schwartz, MD
Specialty
: Internal Medicine
Medical school:
Tulane Univer-
sity School of Medicine, New
Orleans, Louisiana
Board certifications:
American Board of Inter-
nal Medicine
Dr. Schwartz has been practicing in the
Carson Valley for 17 years. He currently sees
patients at Job’s Peak Internal Medicine and
Family Practice and at CVMC Senior Care,
both on Virginia Ranch Road in Gardnerville.
Outside of his practice, Dr. Schwartz is active
in coaching youth soccer.
For appointment information, contact
Job’s Peak Internal Medicine and Family
Practice at
775-782-1550
or CVMC Senior Care
at
775-783-4823
.
Evan Rowley, PA-C
Specialty:
Primary Care
Undergraduate:
GeorgeWash-
ington University
Medical school:
MEDEX Northwest
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Board certifications:
National Commission of
Certification of Physician Assistants
Evan Rowley recently joined the CVMC
healthcare team in September 2016. Prior
to that, Rowley provided primary care and
urgent care services to the rural communities
throughout Mono County, California. A veteran
of the United States Navy, Rowley has an ex-
tensive background in operational emergency
medicine. Topaz Ranch Medical Clinic (TRMC) is
located at 3919 Carter Drive inWellington and is
open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MRI: A
clearer view
For appointment information, contact
775-783-3096
.
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Winter 2017
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