Full Body Scan / Screening
The earlier you find a potential problem, the easier it is to treat or prevent. By taking advantage of Buffalo MRI’s Screening Studies you will be offered the rare opportunity to discover any potential abnormalities at their earliest stages and have the tools to treat it. The most common outcome of our screening studies is the peace of mind that comes from learning there is nothing seriously wrong. After getting their results, most patients leave feeling reassured and relieved.
Heart and Vascular Screening
By the time an average stress test shows an abnormality or plaque, you need a stent or bypass and you have already been at high risk for a heart attack or stroke for years. The only way to know if you are at risk is to image your arteries. Our Heart Scans can find plaque 15 years or more before any other test. Ultrasound, CT and MRI may be used to image your arteries.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is used as a primary screening tool for aneurysm or blockage in the carotid arteries or abdominal aorta. Ultrasound has the advantage of being less costly. It also has no radiation and no need for IV contrast.
CT
Our Low-Dose High-Definition 128-Slice CT Scanner offers detailed images by performing CT Angiography (CTA) of the Carotid Arteries, Abdominal Aorta, Renal Artery, Lower and Upper Extremities and the Brain.
Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring (Heart Score) takes very detailed pictures of the heart’s vessels. We evaluate the coronary arteries for calcified plaque deposits. Those deposits are counted and a representative Heart Score is given. Your score will give you a reliable assessment of your risk for having coronary artery disease.
Cardiac CT Angiography (CCTA) includes a Heart Score, but takes it a big step further. We will perform a complete coronary artery CTA or angiography of the arteries of the heart. Calcified plaque and also soft plaque are detected in the coronary arteries of the heart. Additionally, an assessment is made on the amount of blockage those plaque deposits are causing in your Coronary Arteries. This study requires beta blockers and IV Contrast.
MRI
Two of our MRI Systems are 3T, which have twice the power of most MRI systems. 3T images are more detailed. The studies are faster, minimizing motion issues. 3T is what cutting edge hospital use such as the Mayo and Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins. 3T is the best quality MRI available. As long as you are not large statured or claustrophobic, your MRI’s will be preformed on one of our 3T MRI Systems.
If you are claustrophobic Buffalo MRI has the highest quality open MRI available for your study.
MRI has the advantage of not exposing your body to radiation.
MR Angiography (MRA) is used to evaluate the Carotid Arteries, Abdominal Aorta, Renal Arteries, Brain, and Upper and Lower Extremities. All MRA Studies, aside from Brain studies, require contrast.
Below is pricing for individual Heart and Vascular Screening Studies:
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Ultrasound Carotid Arteries
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$285.
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Ultrasound Abdominal Aorta
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$285.
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CTA Carotid Arteries
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$325.
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CTA Abdominal Aorta
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$325.
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CTA Renal Arteries
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$325.
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CTA Lower Extremity
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$325.
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CTA Upper Extremity
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$325.
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CTA Brain
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$325.
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Heart Score
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$295.
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Cardiac CTA (CCTA)
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$650.
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MRA Carotid
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$565.
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MRA Abdominal Aorta
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$565.
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MRA Renal
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$565.
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MRA Lower Extremity
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$565.
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MRA Upper Extremity
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$565.
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MRA Brain (w/o contrast)
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$465.
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Cancer Screening
Our advanced state-of-the-art imaging equipment can find cancer and tumors that routine exams may miss. If cancer is found at it’s earliest stages, it can be treated more effectively. Ultrasound, CT and MRI may be used to screen your body for cancers.
MRI
Two of our MRI Systems are 3T, which have twice the power of most MRI systems. 3T images are more detailed. The studies are faster, minimizing motion issues. 3T is what cutting edge hospitals such as; the Mayo and Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins use. 3T is the best quality MRI available. As long as you are not large statured or claustrophobic, your MRI’s will be preformed on one of our 3T MRI Systems.
If you are claustrophobic Buffalo MRI has the highest quality open MRI available for your study.
MRI has the advantage of not exposing your body to radiation.
MRI is the gold standard for cancer screening. It can detect cancer at its earliest stages. MRI can be used to screen for cancers throughout the body including the Brain, Breast, Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis.
All MRI Studies for cancer screening require contrast.
CT
Our Low-Dose High-Definition 128-Slice CT Scanner offers detailed images of all areas of the body. CT is especially accurate for cancer screening imaging of the Brain, Lungs, Chest, Abdomen and Colon.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound may be used for finding suspicious mass in the Female Pelvis. Further imaging may be required to characterize the lesion if a mass is found.
Ultrasound has the advantage of being less costly. Ultrasound also has no radiation and no need for IV contrast.
Mammography
Mammography is the gold standard for Breast Cancer screening. It is the universally recognized screening tool for Breast Cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that every woman should have an annual mammogram beginning at age 40.
Not all Mammography imaging is the same. Buffalo MRI has Soft Digital Mammo. Soft means more comfortable and better positioning. Digital means the best quality, most accurate images. Digital also means more accurate year-to-year comparisons. Every Mammo at Buffalo MRI is also interpreted using CAD which is a Computer Aid for the Radiologist.
Buffalo MRI’s Mammography System has low dose radiation and there is no need for contrast.
Below is pricing for individual Cancer Screening Studies:
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Ultrasound Female Pelvis
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$285.
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CT Chest with contrast
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$325.
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CT Chest for Lung Nodules without contrast
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$300.
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CT Abdomen with contrast
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$325.
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CT Virtual Colonoscopy without contrast
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$600.
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CT Brain with contrast
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$325.
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Bilateral Soft Digital Mammogram w/CAD
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$150.
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MRI Brain with contrast
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$565.
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MRI Chest with contrast
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$565.
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MRI Bilateral Breast with CAD
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$850.
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MRI Abdomen with contrast
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$565.
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MRI Female Pelvis with contrast
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$565.
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MRI Prostate with contrast
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$565.
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MRI all other with contrast
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$565.
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Bone Health
Bone density scanning is used to measure bone loss. DXA is today's established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). DXA is most often performed on the lower spine and hips. In children and some adults, the whole body is sometimes scanned. Occasionally when there is a hip replacement or lower back surgery there is metal in the body, in those cases, a forearm is done as a secondary site. Therefore, DXA will be ordered either as a bone density spine and hip, or bone density extremity. Buffalo MRI has the latest in Bone Density (DXA) equipment including an advanced analysis of potential for future fracture called FRAX.
The cost for a Bone Density study is $90.00.
Pricing for Multiple Screening Studies
You can customize your full body screening based upon your personal needs and risk factors. If you have multiple screening studies within a 48 hour period we can offer you the following discounts:
* 10% discount off your 3rd study
* 15% discount off your 4th and subsequent studies
Commonly Asked Questions
What Do I Require for this exam?
* You will need to bring a prescription from a health care professional. The results of your screening procedures will be sent to this health care professional so that any results requiring further treatment or follow-up will be handled in your best interest.
* Screening is typically performed only if you are non-symptomatic. If you are experiencing symptoms, asymptomatic screening is not the proper study for you. Your health care professional can order the proper studies for you and we can perform the majority of them at Buffalo MRI.
* You will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that insurance companies will not pay us or you for these costs.
What if I am covered by American insurance?
* American insurance companies pay for very few asymptomatic screening studies. These generally include Screening Mammogram and Fluoroscopic Colonoscopy (not CT Virtual Colonoscopy). Additionally, most American insurance companies will not allow Participating Providers to take payment for asymptomatic screening studies. Buffalo MRI is a Participating Provider for all major insurances.
* You will need to call your insurance company for specific guidelines.
* Medicare patients can sign a waiver and pay for their own screening studies.
Canadian and uninsured patients may also pay out of pocket for screening studies.
How Do I get my results?
* You will be given a CD with your digitized images to take with you.
* Generally within 2 working days your report(s) will be faxed, e-mailed or mailed to you and your prescribing Health Care Professional. You should follow-up with your Health Care Professional if our Radiologist recommends follow-up. * You may also set up a consultation phone call to speak to our Radiologist if you have specific questions. Keep in mind that our Radiologist is an expert at interpreting diagnostic images. Radiologists are not treating physicians and do not have the expertise to prescribe follow-up treatment due to what they find on your images.
Any other questions?
Call us at 716-839-3333 or 888-MRI-3939 or e-mail us from the web site under “contact us.” We will be happy to take care of you!