Today, physicians have many tools at their disposal to help assess a medical situation and determine the best course of treatment. X-ray, ultrasound, CT scans and others may be utilized as necessary based on the symptoms or injury. Traditional MRIs were tunnel-like devices where a patient would lay down and be fed into the device where they would have to lay very still while the images were captured. This method was difficult if the patient was a child, very large, or claustrophobic. With the advent of the Open mri scanner, claustrophobic individuals are put at ease, as there are openings on four sides. Children or people that may need help are able to get quality scans with an open MRI, as caregivers or technicians may reach them.
What is an MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is used by physicians to get a view inside your body where x-rays and ultrasounds may not work. When an injury occurs where there is concern about possible internal injuries, a doctor may order an MRI. Many times, it is used for screening breast cancer, back or joint issues and heart conditions. It may be used where other imaging doesn’t work or it may be used to give another level of detail.
Why Open MRI?
In early versions of the MRI scanner, open ones did not give the high-quality images that the closed ones provided. Today, a patient can have a more pleasant experience with less anxiety while still providing their physician with the clearest images. A scared child can hold his or her parent’s hand. For very large individuals, there is more room in the open scanner that allows for a better experience. A patient with claustrophobia who may have had to use sedation with the closed MRI scanner may feel comfortable enough to forego medications when they can see outside of the machine on all sides.