Capitol Imaging Services (CIS) offers Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) units which allow for non-contrast angiography of the head and neck. CIS offers a wide variety of MRI units that can do the head non-contrast angiography. The CIS 1.2T high field open MRI and 3T ultra-high field MRI systems in Metairie, LA also specialize in non-contrast angiography of the neck.

CIS offers the advantage of performing angiography studies via MRI without the need for a contrast dye. Angiography (MRA) is specifically intended to image the arteries and veins. At CIS, image quality that was superior before is even more stellar, due to the addition of new MRI data packages, scanning sequences and upgraded equipment.

MRA enables radiologists to evaluate both healthy and diseased vessels in the brain and neck and to observe the blood flow within them.

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a systemic disorder with its most prominent and visible effects in the skin, hence its original designation as a dermopathy (a disorder of the skin). NSF is a condition that, to date, has occurred only in people with kidney disease. Being able to perform angiography without a dye is an excellent alternative for people who have kidney disease and may have NSF or are sensitive and perhaps allergic to contrast materials.

NSF affects males and females in approximately equal numbers. NSF has been confirmed in children and the elderly, but tends to affect the middle-aged most commonly. It has been identified in patients from a variety of ethnic backgrounds from North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The majority of literature-reported cases have resided in the United States.

Over the past several years, researchers have correlated the development of NSF with the increasing use of gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents in patients with kidney disease. Gadolinium is the chief component of virtually all contrast agents administered for MRI. While many MRI examinations do not require contrast enhancement, some studies, in particular those examining the blood vessels, benefit from the administration of one of these contrast agents.

The result is better diagnostic capabilities for the radiologist and the medical provider, along with improved outcomes for people who undergo these types of studies.

Our technologist will help position you on a table in the exam room. You will be offered earplugs or a headset to reduce the noise of the MRI, which produces loud thumping and humming noises during imaging.

You will be asked to briefly hold your breath for short periods of time during the test. It is important that you remain perfectly still while the images are being recorded, which is typically only a few seconds to a few minutes at a time. You will know when images are being recorded because you will hear tapping or thumping sounds when the coils that generate the radiofrequency pulses are activated. You will be able to relax between imaging sequences, but will be asked to maintain your position as much as possible.

You will usually be alone in the exam room during the MRI procedure. However, the technologist will be able to see, hear and speak with you at all times using a two-way intercom.

Typically, an MR angiography exam will take 45 to 60 minutes to complete.