MRI and MRA at Desert Imaging West
At 122 W. Castellano Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. 3-Tesla wide-bore and 1.5-Tesla. Breast MRI.
- Address
Desert Imaging West
122 W. Castellano Dr.
El Paso, TX 79912- Hours
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Closed Sunday- Time
- 45 minutes to an hour per body part. Shorter on the 3-Tesla magnet.
About this exam
MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, uses a strong magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the inside of your body. There is no X-ray radiation. Because organs, muscles and joints hold different amounts of water, the scanner can tell them apart and show the difference between normal and abnormal tissue.
You will change out of anything with metal, or wear cotton clothing with no zippers, hooks or buttons. Leave jewelry and valuables at home, and bring a list of your current medications. The technologist goes over a safety checklist with you, because some implants and devices cannot go into the magnet.
Before you come
From our preparation sheet. Your appointment confirmation carries the instructions for your exact study.
All MRI exams
- Do not wear any metal on the day of the exam: no jewelry, hair accessories, body piercings or metallic or shimmer makeup.
- Tell us if you are pregnant.
- Tell us if you have any of the following: a cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, metallic implants, surgical staples, cochlear implants, prosthetic limbs, neurostimulating devices, shrapnel or aneurysm clips.
- When you book, also tell us about claustrophobia, kidney problems, diabetes, skin tattoos, an insulin pump or other implanted drug infusion device, metal fragments in the eye, artificial heart valves, a vascular stent or stent graft, dorsal column stimulators, an allergy to iodine or gadolinium, or past work as a metal worker. Our staff will tell you whether the exam can be done and whether it needs changes.
- Leave valuables at home. Jewelry has to come off before you enter the scan room.
- If you prefer not to change into a gown, wear cotton clothing with no metal zippers, hooks or buttons.
- Bring a list of your current medications.
MRI of abdomen and pelvis
- Do not eat for 4 to 6 hours before the exam.
- Drink water only.
MRI of the prostate
- Use a Fleet enema 4 to 5 hours before the exam. It is available over the counter at most pharmacies.
- Do not eat for 4 to 6 hours before the exam.
- Drink water only, starting the day before the exam.
MRI and MRA at our other centers
Ready to book your MRI and MRA?
Request an appointment online and bring your doctor's order. We take it from there.
# MRI and MRA at Desert Imaging West At 122 W. Castellano Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. 3-Tesla wide-bore and 1.5-Tesla. Breast MRI. - Address: 122 W. Castellano Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Desert%20Imaging%2C%20122%20W.%20Castellano%20Dr.%2C%20El%20Paso%2C%20TX%2079912) - Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday. - Time: 45 minutes to an hour per body part. Shorter on the 3-Tesla magnet. ## About this exam MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, uses a strong magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the inside of your body. There is no X-ray radiation. Because organs, muscles and joints hold different amounts of water, the scanner can tell them apart and show the difference between normal and abnormal tissue. You will change out of anything with metal, or wear cotton clothing with no zippers, hooks or buttons. Leave jewelry and valuables at home, and bring a list of your current medications. The technologist goes over a safety checklist with you, because some implants and devices cannot go into the magnet. [Everything about MRI and MRA](https://desertimagingcenters.com/services/mri) ## Before you come ### All MRI exams - Do not wear any metal on the day of the exam: no jewelry, hair accessories, body piercings or metallic or shimmer makeup. - Tell us if you are pregnant. - Tell us if you have any of the following: a cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, metallic implants, surgical staples, cochlear implants, prosthetic limbs, neurostimulating devices, shrapnel or aneurysm clips. - When you book, also tell us about claustrophobia, kidney problems, diabetes, skin tattoos, an insulin pump or other implanted drug infusion device, metal fragments in the eye, artificial heart valves, a vascular stent or stent graft, dorsal column stimulators, an allergy to iodine or gadolinium, or past work as a metal worker. Our staff will tell you whether the exam can be done and whether it needs changes. - Leave valuables at home. Jewelry has to come off before you enter the scan room. - If you prefer not to change into a gown, wear cotton clothing with no metal zippers, hooks or buttons. - Bring a list of your current medications. ### MRI of abdomen and pelvis - Do not eat for 4 to 6 hours before the exam. - Drink water only. ### MRI of the prostate - Use a Fleet enema 4 to 5 hours before the exam. It is available over the counter at most pharmacies. - Do not eat for 4 to 6 hours before the exam. - Drink water only, starting the day before the exam. ## MRI and MRA at our other centers - [East](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/lee-trevino/mri): 1727 Lee Trevino Dr., El Paso, TX 79935 ## Other exams at West - [3D mammography](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/3d-mammography) - [CT scan](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/ct-scan) - [Ultrasound](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/ultrasound) - [X-ray](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/x-ray) - [Bone density](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/bone-density) - [Heart tests](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/heart-tests) - [Thyroid biopsy](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/thyroid-biopsy) ## Ready to book? Request an appointment online and bring your doctor's order. We take it from there. - [Request an appointment](https://eforms.abbadox.com/240384671438865) - Call (915) 577-0100